The Safest Place to Be

Physical safety is something we worry about on this earth and in this life. Why? Because we are mere mortals. In AD 165, smallpox ravaged the Roman Empire (Antonine Plague) and did so for the succeeding fifteen years, killing one-third of the population. It was followed by another epidemic that was just as deadly in the next century. Biship Dionysius condemned pagan people because they shut off and distanced the afflicted, leaving them to die. Despite physical distancing, the epidemics spread. Christians decided that they would not distance the sick. They cared for them and the mortality rate decreased. I have the great pleasure of working with good men in Africa, where everyday their lives are threatened by militant Muslim extremists. Yet, they are willing to face danger, bringing orphaned children out of areas where they would otherwise be acquired and raised to serve the militant Muslim agenda.

I look at the modern church in the west, and I see nothing like the Christianity of the Bible. I see men and women who are so concerned about their own comforts, riches, statuses, and safety, that they are crippled from the fearlessness of those Christians who handed the faith down to our generation and many of our brothers and sisters around the world. People stay away from church because they feel a little offended. People are at one anothers’ throats because they feel personally wronged. They stay away from the gathering of believers because they fear for their own safety. Last week, we saw that seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness means presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. Today, we continue to see Saul’s self-concern juxtaposed with David’s concern for the things of God.

1 Samuel 23:15-29

Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”

So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.

Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now then, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to do so; and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.”

Saul said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, for you have had compassion on me. Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning. So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Then they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them.

But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.”

So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

Trusting God’s plan (v. 15-18)

Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.

When David becomes aware that Saul knows his general location and is seeking his life again, Jonathan encourages him by reminding him of God’s plan. He will be king (Cf. 15:28; 16:12-13). Jonathan is correct, and everyone including Saul knows it; God will work out His plan. Jonathan, though, will not get to sit next to David as David reigns (Cf. 31:2). The two men renew their covenant of brotherhood, faithfulness to each other (Cf. 18:3; 20:1-24), and go their separate ways.

Modern Christians need to hear Jonathan’s encouragement. God has a plan. God is working together His own plan on this earth. So long as God is using us, we have no need to fear what the circumstances of this world or our enemies may do to us. God works all things together. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, a Presbyterian, Confederate General, and “the black man’s friend,” famously said:

My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me… That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.

Presence of many enemies (v. 19-23)

Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now then, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to do so; and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.”
Saul said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, for you have had compassion on me. Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning. So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

The Ziphites plan to betray David into Saul’s hand, and Saul wishes God’s blessing upon them even though he knows God’s plan and is opposing it (Cf. v. 17). Saul asks them to scout David’s movements and report so he can strategize. David has enemies on all sides. From a worldly perspective, things look grim for him and his band of merry men.

Both David and Saul voiced that they were serving the Lord, yet at this point we know that Saul was not. There are many people who use religious language, say religious things, and even, like Saul, offer spiritual blessings but do not serve God. Instead, they use religious principles, language, and even practice to justify their own ends on this earth. We should be aware of this and try to guard ourselves, by God’s mercy, from being like this. It’s the difference between outward, works-based religiosity and a sincere yearning and seeking after God’s kingdom and righteousness.

God’s deliverance (v. 24-29)

Then they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them.

The Ziphites fulfill their word to Saul. Not only do they scout David’s movements, but they set the perfect trap. David would surely die.

But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.”
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

In an interesting turn, Saul is called away to deal with another Philistine incursion. David escapes Maon and finds shelter in the strongholds of Engedi, on the woest coast of the Sea of Arabah. God works things together such that His plan is accomplished. He is providential. David comes to have such trust in God’s providence concerning the protection of His own investments that he will later write a song:

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).

Where are all the Christian men and women? Mostly, I only see people who claim to be Christian but who only care about their self-preservation and self-justification. Moreso recently, I see people who claim to be Christian but preach politics rather than king Jesus. Where are the living sacrifices? Where are the Christians who respect their governments? Where are the Christians who care for the sick? Where are the Christians who serve as part of Christ’s body humbly instead of seeking only confirmation and gain in this world? Where are the members of Christ’s body who deny themselves in order to gather with other believers for the mutual building up of Christ’s body? Where are the Christians who find a church home based on God’s preferences rather than their own? Where are the men and women who are at peace even in a world filled with such hatred, sickness, and violence? Where are the people of God, who need not complain about the world or the people of the world because they know God works all things together? Where is God’s fearless kingdom people? 

If God has work for me to do on this earth, He is faithful to preserve me. If He does not, I trust that He will take me to be with Him in paradise because it is His perfect timing. Seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness is the safest place to be. It’s the safest place to be whether we live or die. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me” (Philippians 1:21-22a). May we spend our moments in fruitful labor for our Lord, doing what He has called us to do. May we not allow the circumstances of the world or the enemies of God to excuse us from living as if they have more power than the almighty.