Down for the Count

Word
When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors." he inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?"
The Lord answered him, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." – I Samuel 23:1-2

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has handed him over to me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars. – I Samuel 23:7

"Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant."
And the Lord said, "He will."
Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?"
And the Lord said, "They will." – I Samuel 23:11-12

Observation
So here David, running from Saul hears of an attack on a city by Philistines and rides out to save them. In doing so, word gets to Saul where he is located and he rides out to capture David. When David hears of this, he asks God if this is true and if the people of the town will hand them over to Saul. The Lord tells him "Yes." so David and his men bolt.

Two observations from this passage of scripture; the first is the difference in David and Saul, both anointed by the Lord. Even in the midst of being chased by a vengeful king, David still goes to the aid of another. But he DID NOT do so without first inquiring of the Lord. This is in stark contrast to Saul, who when he is told of David's whereabouts in Keilah just assumes God's on his side and takes off without inquiring of Him to kill David and his men.

My second and more disturbing observation is that, after saving Keilah, David receives word that Saul is headed his way. Once again David inquires of the Lord and is informed by God that the very people he just risked his life to save will hand him over to Saul for capture.

Revelation
Whew! I'll start from the top, because it's the easier of the two observations.

I need to be ready to fight for others and to help where I can. However, just because I see some noble cause to fight for or to aid in doesn't excuse me from first praying to the Lord and seeking His counsel. For instance, say a church member approaches me and says they are strapped for cash and really needs some help. Well, without any arrogance or pride in this statement, I'd be the first to offer up assistance. The Lord's blessed my wife and I financially so we never hesitate to help someone in need. But what if later I find out they used that money to buy alcohol, drugs, or to go to some football game instead of using it to feed their family in need? If I'd prayed first and asked God to direct me in the situation, it's highly probable I would've gotten a check in my spirit and maybe asked this person what they planned to do with it. See now I'm not only guilty of not seeking first the Kingdom, but also of not being a good steward of the money God has given me. David is called "A man after God's own heart." I believe that's because in almost every situation David sought the counsel of the Lord before he sought the advice of men.

In this same passage David had the chance to kill Saul, and was encouraged to do so by his men. But David had a connection to God. He talked to Him, and in doing so ended up having Saul more or less surrender himself to David. Prayer is our weapon against the enemy, and must be used as such!

Now, for the second observation's revelation:

Basically it seems like a real bummer. The very people David just saved would hand him right over to his enemy if given the chance. I guess that's just the way it happens in ministry and in life in general. I recently experienced this very scenario. A friend I've had for many years was moved by the Lord. I've been praying for him for a long time now and was finally getting to see the fruition of it come to pass. However, within days he turned his back on me and is no longer speaking to me. He won't return emails or calls and wants nothing to do with me. The Word says to pray for your enemies so that's exactly what I need to do for him. But darn it, it just seems like I got dumped on. I can assure you I was very disturbed and confused by the whole situation.

But like David, I simply must inquire of the Lord, seek His wisdom and then move in the direction I'm given.

I've seen this happen many times in my church to my uncle the pastor. I know my uncle. He's a man after God's heart who only seeks to help people and come to the aid of those oppressed by the enemy. And I've seen the people he's help turn and metaphorically spit in his face. I've seen this happen with my father-in-law, the pastor. He laid down his life for the flock only to have them trample him beneath their feet. Ministry sure doesn't sound fun.

It's interesting though, because this seems to parallel exactly what happened to Jesus. The very people He came to save, spit on Him, beat Him, made fun of Him, and eventually killed Him. Jesus told us not to be afraid of this. The servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Him, then they will persecute us–but it's for His namesake!

This is backwards logic to the world, but when we're stepped on and oppressed, all for Jesus, we should celebrate. What an honor to suffer for the one true King of kings!

In ministry, it's just going to happen. The very people we're trying to save will sell us out to save themselves quite often. But instead of being disturbed and upset by this, we should count it joy that we would suffer for our King.

Devotion
O Lord, I want to be like David. In any even, good or bad, I pray I would seek you first. In all things I would pray to my God and inquire of your heart before making any decision.

I also pray for my oppressors. You died for us while we were "yet in our sins", and as you hung and bled on the cross you forgave all those gathered around you. May I take up my cross and follow after you, and model my life after yours. I want to lay down my life for my fellow man, even with the knowledge that they may hand me over to die. You did, and I want to be just like you. Amen.