1 Samuel 23: 24-28
24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” 28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.
David's success has made King Saul both angry and jealous. Saul's emotions have made him seek to kill David. Saul has even tasked others to kill David. At this point, David is running to avoid Saul. Now, Saul has heard of David's location. David and his men moved into the wilderness for shelter. Saul and his men were closing in as David and his men were hiding behind a rock. Suddenly, Saul received a message about the Philistines invading his land. This caused a great distraction and Saul left.
Now let’s unpack.
Saul:
We’ve all been Saul, going out sad because of our emotions. Here Saul is so flustered with his anger and jealousy that he is disregarding his duties. Saul was a king. A KING! When we get so caught up in the business of others we look crazy. This is a great reality check. Are you in control of your emotions or are they in control of you? Are you neglecting your gift because you're the gift of someone else?
David:
The magnitude of David's composure is outstanding. David shows that you do not have to fight fire with fire. He put himself and his men right in the presence of protection.
1 Samuel 23: 25
25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.
Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
David and his men took shelter behind a rock. David also told us in Psalm 18:2 that God is his rock in whom he takes refuge. The refuge is a shelter or protection from danger. COME ON DAVID! So when Saul got distracted by the attack of the Philistines it was no coincidence. David and his men were hiding in the presence of God. God showed up! David also tells us just how he defeated Goliath the giant with a rock in 1 Samuel 17. Okay, So God is both our shelter and our weapon! The power of the Lord our God!
US:
God is our hiding place from the hand of the enemy. In his care, you will not be defeated! The weapons will form yet they will not prosper because he has you covered! We may never see some of the dangers that come up against us because of his protection. We do not have to fight back. We do not have to fear.
Take cover in the presence of God and let him be God.
Lost ———- Take cover
Weary ———- Take cover
Faithless ———- Take cover
Confused ———- Take cover
Take cover and allow God to provide everything that you.