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31/10/2020 03:00 - 01/11/2020 02:00

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” - Psalm 91:2 (NIV).

King David had just been overthrown by his son in a long chain of a life beset with unfortunate events (2 Sam 15). Once King Saul had sought to kill him by hurling a spear at him (1 Sam 19). But when that failed he dispatched him to the battle field hoping he would fall to the sword, “Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines” (1 Sam 18:24).

David lost his best friend Jonathan in a fierce battle against the Philistines that took also King Saul’s life (1 Sam 31). Once tragedy befell him when he lost a son (2 Sam 12:18). And here his kingdom had now been overran by his own son.

As David fled from the rout of Absalom, a “man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel” (2 Sam 16:6-7). Talk of hitting someone when there are down.

Sometimes in times of trouble there is a temptation to seek escape short cuts to apparent victory. One might be tempted to even blame God for all his woes. There is never short of advice, some of which has poison hidden within. The lure to start consuming addictive substances that can suppress the pain at least momentarily is ever present. But what is instructive in all these pitfalls, David had no hesitation where to run.

This was best characterized in Psalm 46, which he wrote, “God is our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Prayer for today: Lord father God of creation, of heaven and earth, through whatever difficulties, may I like David know where to run, for you are my refuge, my hope and trust!

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