No Time for Hiding

There is no time for hiding. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of God's kingdom work. In 1Samuel 22:3-5, David is repositioning himself as he is on the run from Saul. King Saul wants to kill David. Saul already knows that God is going to take the kingdom from Saul, but he doesn't officially know who that will be. It is obvious to King Saul that David is the prime candidate, so he seeks to kill David. With this knowledge, David begins his run. Now David already knows that he will eventually be king, but David will not be part of attacking Saul, because he sees King Saul as God's anointed king. Thus David is in a very awkward position. David sees that his choice is to run and avoid this conflict. Along the way, he picks up a band (400 men) of distressed and discontent men to join him in whatever he does. David delivers his parents to a place far away(Moab) for their safety (prevent a hostage crisis). David was offered asylum here as well, but the prophet Gad told him that God wanted him to return to Judah (right back in the middle of things). Common sense could have led David to just stay away and let Saul die, and then he would become king in due time. One big difference here between Saul and David; David listened to the prophet and obeyed the word of God to go back to Judah. It wasn't the easy choice. It wasn't the comfort zone; it was the war zone. You see, away from all the fray David would be safe, but he couldn't be used by God to help God's people. David and his family would be safe, but he wouldn't be living out God's purpose for himself. So, David travels to the Forest of Hereth which was just a few miles South of Bethlehem to wait and be used of God. Like David of old, there is no time for hiding for the follower of Jesus. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of what God has got going on. ---Are you hiding in a safe-place on the sidelines right now?