During the few years that David had fled from Saul, he had two chances to kill Saul (1 Sam 24, 26). Saul relented on those two occasions when David showed mercy to him and chose not to take his life. But Saul hardened his heart again and continued his chase after David. David eventually had no choice except to lead his family out of Israel into Philistines, their enemy’s territory. It was only then that Saul gave up his pursuit.

Gath is the capital of Philistines where their ruler, Achish lives. David came to Gath before in 1 Sam 21:10-15. He pretended to be a mad man when the locals recognized him as Saul’s capable commander. But here in 1 Sam 27, Achish views David differently since he is now a runaway fugitive from his king. He permits him to stay in the land with the Philistines. David asks to settle in remote Ziklag on the pretext of being unworthy to be with the ruler in their prestigious city. But his real reason is so that they would not know what he and his men do in their raids as mercenaries around Ziklag. During the one and a half years residing in Ziklag, David raided the places that belonged to the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. These are vassal states of the Philistines. And David ensured that they left no captive alive lest their deeds would be known to Achish. Whenever Achish asked where they had gone, David reported that they raided Negeb of Judah or the Jerahmeelites or the Kenites places. Judah is a tribe of Israel and the other two are friends of Israel (1 Sam 30:29). This made Achish think that David has indeed caused his own people to detest him further. He trusted David even more.

Being forced to be exiled into the enemy’s land provides David with an opportunity to be a double agent for His country. Though Saul is bent on destroying him, David’s heart who is after God will never betray him and his own people. And living in the remote Ziklag allows David to raid and destroy Israel’s enemies especially the Amalekites. Similarly in Gen 37, Joseph was also being forced out of Israel. He was betrayed by his brothers and being sold into Egypt. But God granted him favor with the Egyptian captain Potiphar and later Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He grew in his status and his credibility increased. The hour then came for him to save his people when a famine struck. They moved to Egypt to be taken care by Joseph, who by then became Pharaoh’s right-hand man.

God turned the adversities of David and Joseph around and used them to accomplish His will. Are you in a comparable situation like David or Joseph? Do you feel that you are being forced into your current place (school, work, etc.). Whatever difficult a dilemma you may be facing, think and pray whether God can use you there to accomplish any will of His. Wherever we are or whatever we face, we are Christian students, employees, retirees, etc. We are not students, employees or retirees who happen to be Christians. But instead, we are first Christians and then students, employees, retirees, etc. God places us in our respective stations of life to shine for Him as His witnesses.

Prayer : Dear God, You are sovereign. You have said in Rom 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Open my spiritual eyes to know Your purpose and see Your will for me in this… (describe the difficulty) situation that I am facing. Please give me wisdom to know what I must do to be Your effective witness even in my unfavorable circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.