In the wrong camp

 1 Samuel 29

David is in a real mess; he is in the wrong camp, on the wrong side of the battle, and surrounded by thousands of Philistine warriors.  This is the mess he is in, the Philistines have come together at Aphek, and the Israelites encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel, and David and his men are in the rear with King Achish. 

Do you wonder what David’s men are thinking?  Some must have said, if this is God’s will we will defeat King Saul and David will become the king of Israel and Judah and then we will destroy these Gentile dogs.  But God, I’ve learned that God’s ways are much different than ours, and if by faith in His promises we will watch, pray and wait on the Lord, we will see a “but God” moment.

When the commanders of the Philistines heard David and his men were the rear guards, they said no way is he staying, and yet King Achish wanted him to stay.  But when 99% of the leaders come and say David has to go to the King, and if he is smart will always agree, and he did.  I believe it was a song that the Israelite women sang that did David in; “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousand.”  This is recorded that the King told David I’ve found no fault in you but at first light in the morning you and your men must go back home, and they did.

As one who has read the story many times, it is evident that God’s hand was in total control of the events of that day and yours and mine today.  David made a lame attempt to stay, but it is evident he was not upset by being told to leave. 

Have you ever found your self in the wrong camp, on the wrong side of the battle, and surrounded by those who are hostile to the LORD?  If so what did you do, or maybe that is where you are today, in a mess, surrounded by those who love the things of this world and have no love and may even be enemies of our LORD, what actions are you taking?

David must have understood what Isaiah 41:31 tells us; “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  Or maybe it was Psalm 27:14 that David looks to on this day, “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”  As we move tomorrow into Chapter 30, you will come to understand that David needed to wait and trust in his big God, and so must you and I.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice