HIDING FROM MY PROBLEM

Then David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 1 Samuel 21:10

Instead of staying with Samuel (1 Samuel 19:18-24), where God protected him, and, no doubt, would have continued to protect him, David became afraid and hid from the problem. But what a foolish choice! He fled into the hands of the enemy; out of the frying pan into the fire! This constantly happens to God’s people when they panic and see things horizontally instead of vertically. When Christians get into trouble or have a problem, they hide from the church somehow thinking that they are still in a right relationship with God. It’s like knowing you are sick, but not going to urgent care even though you know it will help you.

How did this happen to David? He was worn down through the constant pressure of Saul. In the process, his faith was weakened and fear began to replace faith. Can you relate? How did he get out of this situation and instead of hiding from his problem, face it head on? Look at Psalm 34 and notice the superscription. Now, notice verse 4, “I inquired of Yahweh, and He answered me, and delivered me from all that I dread.” The NASB translates “inquired” by the English word “sought.” That’s where the reversal begins. If you sense that you are far from God, you know that He hasn’t moved. Repent, i.e., turn around. Seek Him. Call out to Him. He will do for you what He did for David. You can see that in the second half of verse 4, “and delivered me from all that I dread.” David tells us of his experience and the blessing of his seeking God in verse 8: “O taste and see that Yahweh is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Is that your experience today? Can you truthfully say that God is good? Can you truthfully say that you are blessed?

Ike Graham