Back to GraceThe Word of God Must Be Your Guide
In 1 Samuel 23, we see two different approaches to God’s revealed Word. David openly embraces and depends upon God’s Word, while King Saul rejects God’s Word with lip service and posturing.
The Word of God must be our guide.
The Circumstances of Life Will Challenge the Certainty of God’s Word. (1 Samuel 23:1-6)
David is confronted with circumstances when attempting to save his fellow Israelites from the Philistines. These circumstances are severe both internally and externally.
David goes to God for direction after hearing about the Philistines ravishing the walled city of Keilah. David’s men challenge him when he says they are going to rescue the city. It seems they are running from Saul directly to the enemy.
When David inquires of the Lord again, God says that He will give the Philistines into David’s hand. God would act on behalf of David and his men to give them the victory.
Anointed by God to deliver Israel, Saul is actually trying to kill the Israelites, while David is now serving as the deliverer, acting upon God’s Word in confidence.
There are circumstances in our lives that challenge the certainty of God’s Word. In 2 Peter 3:1-9, the circumstances being faced by the church during the time of Peter’s writing are the same as what we are facing today.
The mockers questioning Christ’s return, then and now, challenge the certainty of God’s Word. However, believers are to look at more than the circumstances. We are to remember what God has done in the past and what He says He will do in the future.
Present circumstances are pointing to a future of judgement. We are assured through His Word that the Lord will destroy the world and judge the ungodly. We are to continue looking for the Lord’s return not because the Lord is slow but because He is patient, desiring all to come to repentance. His Word is certain even when challenged by the circumstances.
When circumstances challenge the certainty of God’s Word, we must continue to be guided by God’s Word.
God Wants You to Find Your Security in His Word. (1 Samuel 23:7-18)
Though David delivers the men of Keilah by the power of God, these countrymen intend to hand David over to King Saul. Again, David flees.
David’s security is not found in his victory at Keilah but in God and trusting His Word.
Even though life’s circumstances may challenge the certainty of God’s Word, God wants us to find our security in Him and His Word.
God responds to David’s questions. We, too, would like God’s immediate answer to our questions in the circumstances of the moment, often wanting new revelation. However, much of the security and guidance we find from God is not found in learning new things but being reminded of the things we already know.
Jonathan counsels and exhorts David in what he already knows to be true, that he will be king and not be overtaken by Saul. David finds his security and strength in God because of Jonathan’s exhortation.
In Psalm 54, David is given up to Saul by fellow Israelites who are afraid. David calls out to God and finds his security in God and His justice. David’s circumstances of running from Saul do not seem to match his words to God.
God changes us when we see Him for who He is and remember His promises to those who trust in Him. Our circumstances do not change, yet we are changed.
In his changing circumstances, David is strengthened as he remembers and rehearses the truths he knows of his God who never changes.
Don’t Be Surprised if God Seems “Distant” When You Reject His Word. (1 Samuel 23:19-29)
David’s outlook on his circumstances and his dependence on God stand in stark contrast with the other anointed one, King Saul. While David has a growing intimacy with God, Saul experiences a growing distance from God.
We can learn from Saul’s continued rejection of God’s will. Under Saul’s command, the priests of Nob who gave haven to David and the whole city of people were killed. Saul continues to chase David while striking fear in the hearts of the people in the towns of Keilah and Ziph rather than protecting them.
Though Saul has rejected God’s revealed will, he seems certain that God has led him, boasting how the Lord has delivered David into his hands.
Jonathan, King Saul’s son, clearly understands that the consequence of his father’s sin will not allow him to be the next king. Jonathan recognizes God’s anointing on David to be the next king and gladly accepts God’s will.
There ought not to be an ongoing discrepancy and contradiction between what a believer is in public and in private, or between what a believer is among the church family and in the world. Our immediate families will not be deceived by any amount of spiritual ease or Bible language. This sort of posturing will cause greater distance in relationships.
Rejecting God and His clearly revealed will, Saul stubbornly leans on his own understanding, increasing his distance from God, while David leads a life clearly guided and directed by God and His Word.
God’s Word is God’s revelation to us of who He is, what He thinks and values, and how we ought to worship Him. We must know God, and His Word must be our guide.
Application Points
- When your circumstances change, do you know that your security is really in God? Remember and rehearse the truths you know of your unchanging God.
- Does your family see and hear you living out, reading, and talking about God’s Word? Be genuine for while man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.
Tools for Further Study
Cross References to Explore
2 Peter 3:1-9; Psalm 54; Proverbs 3:5-6
A Hymn to Encourage: “The Solid Rock”
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
Words by Edward Mote; Public Domain