1 Samuel_23

Scripture 1 Samuel 234 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place.16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.Observation - What does it say?David heard the Philistines were bullying Keilah, a city in the lowlands of Judah, and needed to be stopped. So David asked the Lord if he would give the Philistines into his hand, God said yes, and he did some major damage to the Philistines. They even left with the livestock (bbq items to celebrate the victory I guess). Soon after he gets word that Saul is coming for his life... again :(Understanding - What does it mean?Celebrate your victory, keep moving toward God’s promises, and surround yourself with godly people who believe God’s word for you! Isn't that so how it is! We have this incredible victory in our lives that God totally gave to us then the enemy is right there to let us know he's still coming for us! I mean WhatTheHeck! I was victorious! I just did a 28 day fast with my church and the Holy Spirit came, amazing things were happening in my family, strongholds were broken and lives were changed and...here comes the enemy sending word that he's got us on his radar and he's coming for us :(  to top it off, the people in the city David just fought for, Keilah, were going to turn him over to Saul! ShakingMyHead...You do the right thing and still it seems you come out the loser. But David kept moving, It could have been so easy for him to stop,get down on himself, and let the enemy have his way but he kept moving in the direction of what the Lord had spoke over his life, to be king of Israel. And just when he needed it here comes Jonathan to lift up his Spirit! Yes, Thank you! I think God sent Jonathan to him. 1 Samuel 23:17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.Jonathan, a loyal friend came to remind him of his future because God said it and no matter what...it was going to be so! He encouraged David to have faith, to stay strong, and to keep going. Life Application - How can I apply this today?We will have victories! We will be sought after by the enemy...BUT God has plans for us with a hope and a future, to prosper us and not to harm us!We must keep moving toward His word and His promises. Keep reading our bible, keep cranking up that worship music, keep clinging to Him in the midst of adversity!And… Here is where some of the best magic happens...Let ourselves be surrounded by the body of Christ. Let godly people that God has brought to us, (hint: DSC), speak life to us, encourage us, sharpen us, and remind us of God's promises in our lives.

Father, thank you for the victories, be with us in our difficult times, strengthen us to keep moving toward your word for us, and direct us to build godly relationships where we can cheer each other on toward the prize and run the race together! In Jesus’s name Amen!