The Shadow of the Almighty

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

I have been studying 1 Samuel.  I have gotten through the Israelites asking for a King and the disaster of a king that Saul is.  He has rejected God and so God has rejected him and anointed David to be the next King over Israel.  Saul is still ruling but it’s obvious to almost everyone in Judah that David is the better choice.  Saul is jealous and angry and so he’s made it clear that he intends to kill David. 

First of all it should be obvious that the one who rejects God should not go try to take out the Lord’s anointed.  “If God is for you who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31)   Saul’s efforts to kill the anointed King David were thwarted repeatedly by the providence of God.  Saul kept trying as he chased David for years.

As you go through the scriptures God’s protection of David was evident all the time.  It probably didn’t feel like that to David as it was happening because he couldn’t see it all.  The Lord was holding back Saul’s messengers and killers with different interventions, He sent the Holy Spirit to make Saul’s henchmen stop and prophesy instead of pursuing David at one point.  At another He had the Philistines attack and Saul had to leave David, just as he was about to have him in his grip, to go and fight for his country. 

Other times God rescued David when he had done some pretty foolish things to protect himself and the men who followed him.  When David is first on the run he’s hungry and weaponless – he goes to a priest for food and a weapon.  He out and out lies to this man but God protects him and he’s given the bread he needs and the weapon.  God protects him in spite of the lie.  Saul hears about it and kills the priest and his entire family. 

My gut reaction to God’s provision after the lie to a priest was that David didn’t deserve to be given what he had come for – which was the bread.  Then, I was reminded that if my daily bread was dependent on my being without sin – I would be a hungry woman!  God feeds us because of His loving kindness – not our godliness!  In His grace – we eat. 

Twice David has the opportunity as he is being hunted by Saul to kill him.  He frustrates his own men but honors God by refusing to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.  Saul is shocked that David didn’t kill him when he had the opportunity.  If the tables had been turned Saul would surely have taken advantage of David’s vulnerable moment.  

After David had let Saul know that he had been given the opportunity to kill him but he had not taken it David took off again into the hill country to protect himself.  The commentator I’m reading, Dale Davis, points out that David’s problems are not over, things still look dark for him.

At this point in the narrative  Mr. Davis observes, “True, darkness is still there, but perhaps part of it is the shadow of the Almighty.”  Though David was afraid at times and confident of God at other times, though he had chosen to do some foolish things for his own protection, and then chose to follow God and not his own men in restraining himself from killing Saul when he had the chance, he was trying to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty God. 

I have been blessed with the joy of the Lord, but somedays I feel like I have that joy in a somewhat dark place.  I am not sure of exactly what God is doing or where He wants me.  I have learned that I can trust Him and can be assured that He is taking me where He wants me to be.  But, I fear that I may make a foolish mistake and step out of His will.  I may see something He is doing and misinterpret it as David’s men thought he ought to kill Saul. 

It reassures me to read these verses and understand that David did not do everything right.  He lied to the priest, he deceived the King of Gath to make him think he was crazy, and he sought refuge in the land of his and God’s enemies.  And God protected Him anyway.  He was the Lord’s anointed, a man with a special and particular role to play in the plan of redemption.  He may have received special favor from God – but I think it is God’s character to care for His own people. 

If we know God and can read and agree with David in Psalm 34:7 that, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”, then we should trust God, even in all of our foolishness, to guide and protect us.  He may convict us of sin but if we respond as David did, quickly and wholeheartedly, (1 Samuel 24:5) He will help us, He will deliver us from our troubles as He did David. 

Even if we are still in darkness, it may just be because we are living under the shadow of the Almighty.  That’s a sweet spot to be in. 

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.  Psalm 63:7