The God Who Is Our Refuge

By Gabi Bemis

“That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, ‘Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands”? David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. Achish said to his servants, ‘Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?’ David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him. From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, ‘Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?’ So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. But the prophet Gad said to David, ‘Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.’ So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.”—1 Samuel 21:10–22:5 (NIV)

Saul’s fury is so great against David that he’s forced to flee into enemy territory—the city of Goliath—for refuge. Yet in this story, we learn where David has placed his trust and where we should place ours.

David’s condition had certainly taken a turn for the worse. He and his men first take holy bread for food, which was forbidden for anyone other than the priest to eat. Then he flees to Gath, the city of Goliath, carrying his enemy’s sword. Upon arriving, David’s recognized, and perhaps because his fame had spread, he was questioned: “Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

Hearing these words may have caused some men’s egos to gloat, but for David, it caused great fear. Perhaps, as his fame had spread, he would now be regarded as an even bigger threat to the Philistines. In order to protect himself, David pretends to be a madman and flees from Gath to the cave of Adullam.

Psalm 34 is an account of David’s experience in this situation, but surprisingly, the psalm is not one of lament or trial; it’s one of trust and triumph. “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psalm 34:1–7 NIV).

David was a fugitive in his homeland and in the land of his enemies. He was hungry, he had no home, no sense of safety; all he had were God’s promises. And yet, David’s focus wasn’t on his circumstances or his fears; they were solely on God, the One who had made a promise to him. David displays full trust in God and His character. He praises God—the One who delivers, removes shame, rescues His beloved in times of trouble, and delivers them from their fears.

This is our God. And like David, we can trust Him even in our darkest moments. There’s no situation so dark and dreadful He cannot rescue us from. David knew this, and his faith in God led him to see God’s salvation in his life.

Friend, no matter what may be happening around you or within you, may today’s passage remind you to place your trust in God—the One who is faithful to deliver you from all your fears.

Pause: What are you facing in life right now that has you afraid?

Practice: Speak the words of Psalm 34 over your fears.

Pray: Lord, thank You that You are my deliverer in times of trouble. Like David, I can trust You to save me from my greatest troubles. You are with me in my storms, and You promise to not only walk with me through them, but to provide a rescue. Lord, deliver me from my fears today, and help me to walk confidently trusting in You over my circumstances. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.