The Real Enemy

Based on 1 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 56

"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." Psalms 56:11

In the very words of David above, inspired by God of course, he was not afraid of man. He trusted in God, and in doing so, he was always on the winning side! He ended up having to run from Saul, but David did not perceive Saul as his enemy. Unfortunately, Saul gave into his pride as king and he had a jealous spirit about him, so he saw David as the enemy. He was distracted from the real enemy, the Philistines. Saul had to constantly be reminded that his pursuit of David was not the main mission...

"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men."
1 Samuel 22:2

On the run, at a time when he was also probably distressed, David's family came to him and he became captain over them. Only God could give him strength to lead when someone sought his life! And David kept going!

"Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard." 1 Samuel 22:23

Saul yet again made a very wrong choice out of pride for his position. He saw the priests as enemies because they helped David. He had them killed, but Abiathar the priest escaped and found refuge with David. Our enemies are never the people of God! True servants of The Lord have a "saver mentality" as we've studied with the teachings of our Pastor many times! We are not here to judge, but to help get to a better place with God-higher ground!

"So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah." 1 Samuel 23:5

David was not distracted by Saul. Even with this constant game of chase, trying to escape Saul, David still went out to fight the Philistines and save the people of Keilah!

"Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up."
1 Samuel 23:12

Even after David won the battle for Keilah, the very people he saved did not save him from the hand of Saul, but planned to deliver David right over to Saul! But God always brought David to safety, and sent him people to join him and encourage him...especially Jonathan!

"And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth." 1 Samuel 23:16‭-‬17

Jonathan was Saul's own son, yet God also used him to strengthen David. Saul was deceived into thinking those who helped him in his evil plot against David were the ones blessed of The Lord. He thought that since he was king, everyone should be on his side...but Saul forgot GOD was the true King! God gave him his position, and Saul knew in his heart that God gave David that position as well. That is what sparked jealousy. The real enemy is ourselves when we turn away from God! God would have easily given the enemy Philistines into Saul's hand if he trusted God...but instead, his anger let him think David was the enemy...but in reality, Saul was his own worst enemy!

Saul eventually moved on from David to fight the Philistines, but did not forget his pursuit of David...he would be back...are we our own worst enemy? Do we sometimes forget to trust God to fight our battles? Let's pursue more of God in Jesus' Name!