Daily Devotional for Wednesday, August 16

The Mistrust

“And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God; notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle,” 1 Samuel 29:9

God’s divine providence is continually at work in the lives of His faithful children. For those that have fully surrendered to Him, He moves in various ways that are often amazing, thrilling, or at times a bit frightening and unknown. As we read through the pages of God’s Word, we can see God’s plan at work so clearly in the lives of His people as we have their stories from beginning to end. Yet often it is unclear to us in the moment how or why God is moving the way He is. That is where faith comes in.

After years of running for his life from King Saul, David had finally found a place of refuge in Gath with Achish. It is ironic that David would find peace in the land of the Philistines, Israel’s greatest enemy. But David was upright in all his ways and Achish trusted him and was ready to take him and his men into battle against the Israelites without hesitation. However, the lords of the Philistines were concerned that he would attempt to get Saul’s favor by turning on them in battle. Achish hearkened to the words of the Philistine lords and peacefully sent David away. God’s providence can be seen in His protection of David and in sending him away so that his hand was not against the Israelites. He was establishing David to soon become the next king of Israel.

You may not understand exactly why circumstances are happening in your life. Remember God sees the whole picture and He has a plan. Allow Him to do His work in your life and trust His divine providence today.

REFLECTION: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Isaiah 46:10)

Darla Goodrum