As believers of Jesus who reconciled us back to God in relationship with God; our senses are heightened with awareness of God’s interventions in our lives.  We think we are going one way but then something or someone happens; and we are sent a completely different way.  We think we have all the pieces in place to purchase a new home, then a roadblock in the process changes the plan.  We plan to start a family but we are delayed for some reason.  We have a career in mind that we prepared for in college; but a new calling sends us into a work that fulfills our greatest desires of serving. When we give all our hearts, minds, and souls to the One who created us in His own image, be prepared and willing to live a flexible life of bending to the will of our Father God.  He always knows what is best and will intervene when we are headed in the wrong direction to obtain it. This way of living requires complete surrender to God.

Living on God’s terms is a matter of life or death.  Do we live a dead life chained to self-will?  Or do we choose to live life to the full with God’s guidance and expected intervention? The Apostle Paul explains this holy harmony with God—living on His terms;

“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!” Romans 8:12-17, MSG

We love the phrase “What’s next, Papa?” as a confident, childlike expectation of God’s blessings and provision.  This reflects a relationship with God where we as believers, are filled with God’s Holy Spirit with anticipation of the good things of God while we embrace the future with Him with joyful trust.  We become flexible, teachable, moldable and more mobile by the will of God.  This is the person I want to be, don’t you?

We all know and experience times when we really don’t understand what is going on.  We ask why and wonder what we have done wrong that led to this current change of plans. I’m learning that it’s okay to ask why but we must continue to trust and obey God regardless of knowing the why.  In fact, we must lose the need to know why.  Our faith, knowing that God knows, is all the answer we need. 

David and his men were suddenly sent back “home” by the Philistine commanders as the battle with Israel led by King Saul was about to begin.  David asks why.  David had proved his loyalty to Achish, but not to the rest of the Philistines so David and his men are not to be a part of this next battle.  David obeys and it’s a good thing he did!  As we close out 1 Samuel in chapters 29-31; we will understand God’s intervention in David’s life.  God is preparing, protecting, and providing for the next King of Israel.

1 Samuel 29

Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag

The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. ² As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. ³ The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

⁴ But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? ⁵ Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”

⁶ So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. ⁷ Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

⁸ “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

⁹ Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ ¹⁰ Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”

¹¹ So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

WHAT DO LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When God intervenes and curtails plans and strategies we have in place are suddenly changed or even eliminated—how do we respond?  Let us pause to remember, and prayerfully meditate on our past responses with repentance.  Then may we consider a “makeover” of our future responses that more reflects our intimate relationship with God.  I am doing that right now!

SPOILER ALERT:  The Philistines feared David would turn traitor against them, and they refused his assistance. God helps us avoid situations that would divide our loyalties and break our hearts. This is the battle in which Saul and his sons were killed (31:1–6), and it was the providential hand of the Lord that kept David and his men from having to participate.  The Lord was gracious to deliver David and his men from participating in this battle. 

Stay tuned, for God’s intervention led David to another battle at home in Ziklag where his hometown for more than a year was burned to the ground.  He and his men fought the enemy who captured their wives and children and brought them back home.  He divided the spoils fairly which was a demonstration of his integrity.

Yes, God is prepping and grooming a new King who’s “after the heart of God”.

Lord,

We question when our plans need a change or a rearrangement of purpose and you intervene with a better plan.  We know you know what is best.  Forgive us when “why” first comes across our lips in desperation. Help us to live freely, as redeemed people who fully trust you with anticipation for what you know lies ahead.  Good or bad, yet will I trust you.  You are Life!  Help me to live in harmony of your Good Will.

In Jesus Name, Amen