Sat.’s Devo - God, Our Rock of Escape

Read: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19 David escaped to the cave of Abdullah and others joined him who were unhappy with Saul’s leadership. David’s brothers and relatives came until there were about 400 men who became a part of his movement. *** David went to Moab and asked the king if he would shelter his parents so they would be safe. The king agreed and David moved them to Mizpeh where they stayed the whole time he was running from Saul. *** The prophet, Gad told David it was time to move back to the land of Judah so David went to the forest of Hereth. When Saul heard that David was there, he was at Gibeah with his officers. He asked them if David had promised them fields and vineyards or promised to make them generals and captains in his army. He berated them for not telling them where David was and what he was doing. *** Doeg spoke up and told Saul what he saw at Nob. Ahimelech the priest prayed with David, gave him food and Goliath’s sword. *** King Saul sent for Ahimelech and interrogated him about his meeting with David. Ahimelech told Saul he thought David was totally loyal to him. He had no idea David was a fugitive. Saul, so wrapt in jealousy, ordered his men to kill the priests but no one would do it. Finally, Saul told Doeg to do it and he killed 70 of them. Then he went to Nob and killed their families and cattle. Abiathar, one of Ahimelech’s sons escaped and went to tell David what had happened. David vowed to protect Abiathar with his own life. *** David learned that the Philistines were stealing grain from the people at Keilah. David asked God if he should go and help them and the Lord told him to go. He went and slaughtered the Philistines and rescued the people. *** Saul found out where David was and knew he could trap David inside the city of Keilah since it was a walled city. Abiathar asked the Lord if the people of Keilah would hand David over to Saul and the Lord said they would. David left Keilah before Saul arrived. Saul continued to hunt David down. *** David got news that Saul was near. Jonathan found him and they had their last meeting. Jonathan assured David to stay strong in his faith in God. He told him he was going to be the king of Israel and even his father knew that . They made a pact to stay true to one another. Jonathan returned home. *** David was betrayed by the men of Zith, and went to the wilderness of Maon. Just as Saul was about to catch David, he got news that the Philistines were raiding Israel again and they had to retreat and return home. David was saved and called the place he was hiding the Rock of Escape. *** Jesus is our Rock of Escape from every enemy that is chasing us. *** In John, Jesus explained that he was the only way to salvation. He was the gate that everyone had to come through to get to eternal life. Those who recognize his voice and discern that he is the Savior will find their way into his sheepfold. But those who don’t know his voice will be deceived by false saviors who give false promises. *** Jesus’ plan for us is to give us a rich satisfying life. Satan’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy us. *** Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life for us. He protects us from the wolves. He knows us and loves us. *** God loves Jesus because he sacrificed his life to save us and bring us back to God. *** Jesus told the people all this and some thought he was demon-possessed but others believed because he gave sight to a blind man. Who else but God could do that? *** Lord, our hearts are full of love for you because you first loved us. We are so grateful to have such a loving God who cares, protects and wants only good things for us.