Close shaves – Sela Hammahlekoth

So here’s Saul pursuing young David. And David is running for his life, everyday he is on the move, probably a couple of weeks in a town and then the threat starts and he has to go again. Locals ready to betray, plus he has to be on guard even from his own troops. God alone saved David time and again. He is cut off from friends, family. He is cut off from the company of believers, no Church, no worship teams, no fellowship, no nothing. He's running for his life, to get enough food and stay alive each day was a big thing. There are so many wilderness Psalms that David has written during this time and they inspire us forever. When you read these Psalms, don’t forget that David was an intimate friend of Christ. He loved the Messiah deeply and wrote so much about the life of Christ to come.

In 1 Sam 23, Saul’s army is finally inclosing on the fellow. In a few hours or few minutes it will be all over for David. He would have been killed and so would his band of few men. Then a messenger comes to Saul saying, boss your house is on fire, Philistines have invaded, come quickly. He rushes off to take care of the other business. Yet once more God saves David.

Many times we are in situations like that. It could be a wrong job, it could be a deceptive investment opportunity, in hours you may have signed on. Or it could be strong temptation, an enemy trap, a false marriage proposal, a wrong career move, we are at the brink of signing on. And then Jesus rescues us. Left to ourselves we would have made wrong choices and regretted for life. But God saves us.

When we look at David’s life closely, here are a few things that may have saved his life that day.

Godly mentors: Samuel was still alive. Till the last day of his life, I have no doubt that Samuel would have prayed for Israel and for David. Remember, it was he who anointed him king in Jesse’s house.