David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

1 Samuel 23:14

These “but God” verses just floor me every time!

Today, let’s look at another famous “but God” moment, 1 Samuel 23:14.

Prior to this verse, we read in 1 Samuel that King Saul (Israel’s first king) has stopped following God’s guidance and as a consequence God has anointed a new king through his prophet Samuel. This new king is well-known to you and me. That’s right, it’s David.

Sweet friend, we know David as the brave shepherd boy who faced down Goliath, as the gentle harp player who soothed King Saul’s angry spirit, and as the one-day King of Israel who would bring great gains for the nation. However, we often overlook the less romantic and more harrowing portion of David’s life – the years that occurred between his anointing and his succession to the throne.

You see, God made it clear to David that he would be the next king, but that it would be God’s timing, and not David’s, that made that happen; David was not to touch a hair on Saul’s head (1 Samuel 26:10–11). Bible history tells us that approximately seven years passed between the time that David was anointed and when Saul was killed in battle along with his sons (1 Samuel 31).

In those seven years, Saul hunted for David with the intent to kill him. On several occasions David had the opportunity to kill Saul and did not, having faith that God would raise him up when it was time. He was hunted high and low, hid in caves, was nearly caught a few times, and betrayed at other times….

But God did not give David into Saul’s hands.

And dear heart, God won’t give you into the enemy’s hands either. Just as He protected David from Saul, God protects you and He protects me from those who would harm us and His protection doesn’t end with this physical life. God’s protection is eternal. As we explored Saturday, He sent His Son Jesus to secure our eternal lives, to snatch us from the hands of the enemy, from death itself (Romans 5:6-11; John 3:16).

Some days the enemy may have you on the run. You may feel like hiding in a cave when issues with health or finances arise; stress and strife in your personal life may make it may feel like an army is camped against your doorstep.

BUT GOD – God will not give you to the hands of the enemy.

And that’s a promise you can take straight to the throne!

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