Dealing with Despair

Dealing with Despair (I Samuel 27:1)

I Samuel 27:1, And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

David had reached a very low period in his life. No doubt that David was discouraged and decided to flee Israel for refuge in Philistia. David did not trust Saul and he had every reason to distrust him. Saul had shown himself unstable and emotionally imbalanced. His jealousy and hatred of David were well known. Notice: In the previous verse, I Samuel 26:25, Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. Saul had already once broken a promise to no longer hunt him. David knew Saul was lying, and as a result he became very discouraged and fled to Philistia. In I Samuel 26:24, David sought the Lord. However, in I Samuel 27:1, David is not recorded as consulting with God. It is apparent that his faith lapsed. He focused on his circumstances, not on God. How sad it is when unbelievers believe and believers do not. It is one thing to encounter disappointment. It is another thing to allow disappointment to solidify into discouragement. When one is in this state of mind, their faith often fails. Therefore, the devil uses discouragement to get the eyes of God’s children off of Him in hopes that we might quit.

God had faithfully intervened over and over again to deliver David from the hand of Saul. God had demonstrated His power on behalf of David over and over again and had delivered him. He delivered him out of the mouth of the lion and the paw of the bear. He delivered him out of the hand of the great giant Goliath.
Did David forget how God delivered him? NOTICE: David's pessimism compared to God's power. God saved David...

1. From Saul's javelin twice (I Samuel 18:11).
2. From Saul's plan to have the Philistines kill him (I Samuel 18:21).
3. From Saul's javelin a third time (I Samuel 19:10).
4. From death in his own bed at the hand of Saul (I Samuel 19:15).
5. From Saul's attempt to kill him at Naioth (I Samuel 19:23).
6. From Saul's murder plan at the feast (I Samuel 20:53).
7. From Saul's murder plan at Keilah (I Samuel 23:15).
8. From Saul's hand at Maon (I Samuel 23:25).
9. From Saul's hand in the wilderness of Engedi (I Samuel 24:1-2).
10. From Saul's hand in the wilderness of Ziph (I Samuel 26:2).

In all attempts on David's life he was providentially preserved. Be patient in your trial and wait on God (Psalm 27:14; James 1:1-4; II Timothy 1:7). Whenever you’re facing seasons of discouragement, begin by counting your blessings.

Prayer, Lord, too often, through the eyes of the flesh, I see my battles bigger than You. Help me to trust in You and see them as You see them. There is never a problem I encounter that is greater than You. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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