And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath. And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. (1 Sam. 27:1-4)
David determined that Saul would end up killing him, despite the promises of God, and so ran away to the land of the Philistines. He took his men and his wives and fled Saul to Gath. Saul heard of it and stopped pursuing David, figuring that he would die in Gath at the hands of the Philistines or in battle, but at the very least he was out of Saul’s reach or care.
David for a time forgot the promises of God and experienced a sense of depression in reaction to the relentless pursuit of Saul. God had promised that David would be king after Saul but here David sees no other end but his life and so in a moment of desperation he makes the decision to hide out in with the Philistines who are enemies of Israel and conduct raids on the enemies of Israel and the Philistines. David’s fear for a moment pushed out his faith and led to doubt as to what God was doing in preparing David to be king and removing Saul as king in His time.
When we get our eyes off of God or seem to forget His promises, the world can often look like a very depressing place with no hope. Christians, however, have the Blessed Hope of Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life, both now and always. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and we have one thing which David did not experience which led him to this particular time of insecurity and depression, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. His Spirit indwelling us empowers us, equips us, and guides us in His will, if we will only hear His voice and follow His commands. Sin often keeps us from hearing Him but repentance and reconciliation will once again restore our fellowship with our Father that we might listen and obey. He has called His people to reach the lost with the Good News of Salvation through repentance of sin and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, to teach all nations all that He has commanded us in His Word, and to preach His Word in season and out unto all who will hear and He will be with us as we go in the authority of His Name until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
David for a time forgot the promises of God and experienced a sense of depression in reaction to the relentless pursuit of Saul. God had promised that David would be king after Saul but here David sees no other end but his life and so in a moment of desperation he makes the decision to hide out in with the Philistines who are enemies of Israel and conduct raids on the enemies of Israel and the Philistines. David’s fear for a moment pushed out his faith and led to doubt as to what God was doing in preparing David to be king and removing Saul as king in His time.
When we get our eyes off of God or seem to forget His promises, the world can often look like a very depressing place with no hope. Christians, however, have the Blessed Hope of Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life, both now and always. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and we have one thing which David did not experience which led him to this particular time of insecurity and depression, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. His Spirit indwelling us empowers us, equips us, and guides us in His will, if we will only hear His voice and follow His commands. Sin often keeps us from hearing Him but repentance and reconciliation will once again restore our fellowship with our Father that we might listen and obey. He has called His people to reach the lost with the Good News of Salvation through repentance of sin and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, to teach all nations all that He has commanded us in His Word, and to preach His Word in season and out unto all who will hear and He will be with us as we go in the authority of His Name until He is done with us.
Until that day, God has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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