Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul…And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. (1 Samuel 18:12-14)
When was the last time you were worshiping and praising God and someone hurled a spear at you, not once, but twice? That act alone sends a serious message of anger and hostility, which is exactly how Saul felt about David for his renown and success in Israel and Judah. This conflict between Saul and David will continue from this chapter to the end of the book, but what is also striking is the repetition of the Lord being with David in this chapter and the one prior.
If you know the rest of David’s story you know he had deep flaws—murder and adultery to name a few, but what he also had was the Lord. Just as it is written that the Lord was with David, we can also be sure of the Lord being with us through both trial and success, our obedience to God’s commands and even our failure to obey. God has given we believers the Holy Spirit which Jesus sent to be with us forever (Jn. 14:16) and Jesus said he will be with us “to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
If you scour through both the Old and New Testaments of times when God was with someone or when it is alluded to what Him being with us is like, we can see so much and can be absolutely encouraged by them. Here are just a few: we will have eternal life (Jn. 3:16), we can fear no evil and have comfort (Ps. 23:4; Jer. 29:11), we are entirely provided for and have no need to be anxious (Matt. 6:25-34), and we have forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9). The amount of provision and care God has for us is beyond comprehension!
Although we may face many difficulties in life, be it physically or emotionally, and though God may feel far at times, we can be certain that the Lord our God is with us. So wherever you’re at today, rest on the truth that God is with you. Take a pause in prayer and reflect on the exact moment of life you are in, and let your Father know your gratitude for all he has done and will do, for it is good.