Day1
1Samuel 23
Week 39
“So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and he went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. David then went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.”
1 Samuel 23:28-29 MEV
Cross references
2 Chronicles 20:22;
Joshua 15:62
A Rock And A Stronghold
I hope that you visit the link above and read the beautiful description of this actual place and experience the pictures so that you can understand the greatness of our God, the Rock and Our Savior who is our refuge.
That being said, our story today takes me back to my own struggles. We all experience times when we need a rock and a stronghold to cling to. We need something to stand on when we are tired, slipping away from the physical and mental pain in our lives. We oftentimes need a place to retreat, a stronghold that is safe from the attacks of the enemy.
Jesus is referred to as the Rock of our Salvation and a stronghold for the oppressed; a stronghold in times of trouble.Psalm 9:9.
David experienced a rock and a stronghold. He was delivered at the later named Rock of Escape through a distraction sent by God that diverted Saul’s attention when Saul was literally just over the hill from David and then directed into a place that had served many armies as a stronghold. This area of the world is a beautiful place that provided much needed refreshments such as clean water and food for David and his misfit warriors.
Psalm 18.
It is no coincidence that God had Samuel capture this scenario of pressure, struggle, fleeing and desperation, but just in the knick of time deliverance repeatedly as we have seen for a few weeks in our studies.
Why do you think the focus has remained here for so much of these chapters?
Maybe that’s a question that we should ponder: Why does the author of
1 Samuel put so much emphasis on this time of David’s life?
Why is it important that we see this same story play out time and time again?
Is it showing us David’s faithful and loyal character?
Is it reminding us of God’s goodness and protection? Is it warning us, through the life of Saul, of the consequences of turning away from God?
Or on a grander scale, is this all somehow foreshadowing the life and person of Jesus Christ?
I am not going to answer that for you, but rather encourage you to study further on your own.
Action Step
Do you need a “just in the knick of time” answer?
Are you looking for something firm to cling to?
Jesus is our Rock of Escape.
Jesus is our Stronghold.
Seek God today by asking Him to open your understanding and change your thinking.
Ask Him for fresh eyes.
Stay in this space a few moments longer and drink in the refreshments for your thirsty soul that can only come from a rock and a stronghold. Jesus!
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