March 4

I Samuel 21

My how things change … David has gone from ordinary (a shepherd boy tending sheep) to extraordinary (Israel’s anointed king and national hero) relatively quickly. He has married the king’s daughter, and it seems that the road to his kingship is moving along as planned … except jealousy creeps into Saul’s heart and he plots to kill David.

And now, David finds himself having to run for his life – literally. He has to leave the comfort of his life and support of his friends and hide in the caves and wilderness. In Nob, David begs for food and a sword from the priest. He is given bread that was set aside as holy and Goliath’s sword.

Things got so bad that David had to leave Israel and go into the land of the Philistines! He walks into Goliath’s hometown, Gath, carrying Goliath’s sword, and the people recognize him. Out of fear (yes, this is the same guy who stood up to Goliath), he pretended to be insane.

It seems that David has lost everything. He is in exile from his kingdom. People are pursuing him to kill him. He is possibly at his lowest point – and he wrote Psalm 56.

If you are going through a tough time right now – take comfort in David’s words. Read Psalm 56.

“But this I know, that GOD IS FOR ME.” Carry this verse with you always. No matter how bad things get, if you remain faithful to God, you have this promise – This I know, God is for me.

Now read Psalm 34. It is interesting to read this Psalm because it was written at the same time in David’s life – except that it was written AFTER he was delivered from the king of Gath.

What a blessing to have this time in David’s life written for us. We see how he looked for God in his dark time of fear and we see how he praised God when his cries were answered.

If you are struggling today, take comfort in David’s words:

“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all…”

This lesson has been adapted from a lesson called “But This I Know, That God is For Me” on www.jesusplusnothing.com.