Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. (Ps. 54:4)
KIDS WHOM I THOUGHT WERE MY FRIENDS in the sixth grade, hated me and spread lies. The hatred and lies hurt. I cried and dreaded another day with my classmates. I think I would have transferred to another school if Cathy, my only true friend, hadn’t remained at my side. That experience gives me some insight into David’s suffering and torment by Saul.
As young David grew in popularity, King Saul became enraged and jealous of David’s leadership qualities and spread lies about him. Then Saul pursued David wherever he went. David, a man after God’s own heart, had a fearless trust in God. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). David escaped, unharmed, confident that God had a plan for his life. He rested in the fact that nothing and no one, including Saul, could stop God’s perfect plan.
Saul was relentless. The Ziphites informed him of David’s location. Saul chased David and planned to kill him in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Again, David sought the Lord’s help.
When I went through my trouble, I didn’t know to call on the Lord for help. But thanks be to God, now, like David, I know where my help comes from. When facing opposition, run to God and ask for His help.
Call on God today when you feel stressed or harassed.
Priscilla Tate Gilmore can be found visiting flower nurseries, at the coast, or sitting by the fire on a rainy day.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
