When it was reported to Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent agents to seize David. However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying. (1 Samuel 19:19-20)
Disappointed that his attempts to kill David did not go as intended, in today’s reading Saul decides to order his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. By declaring David as Israel’s Public Enemy No. 1, Saul anticipated that he would be able to get rid of him sooner than later. But because of God’s providence, we see that these attempts were thwarted as well. During times of uncertainty do we immediately go to a state of worry or do we trust that God is at hand in all circumstances?
If you are reading from the CSB translation, you will notice that the heading of the chapter is “David Delivered From Saul.” David was saved from Saul not because of what he did but because of God’s work. God can use both ordinary and extraordinary means to help us. In this passage, God worked through friends (Saul’s son Jonathan), family (David’s wife Michal), and mentors (Samuel) to buy David some time to escape. When it seemed nothing but certain that Saul and his agents would capture David, God himself intervened and prevented them from doing so (I Sam. 19:19-23).
In 2020 we have faced uncertainties: uncertainty about our finances, uncertainty if this pandemic will end, uncertainty if things would ever get back to normal, and much more. At times it may seem that God isn’t listening to us or he is busy doing something else (Ps. 22:1-2). But instead of letting our doubts get to us, we must (especially now) continue to hold onto all of God’s promises in Scripture. We can be certain that God is always watching over us (Ps. 121:4), works all things for our own good (Rom. 8:28), provides for all our needs (Matt. 6:33), and will never leave or abandon us (Heb. 13:5). This Advent season, let us remind ourselves that if we can give good gifts to our friends and family, we can trust that our Heavenly Father will provide for us.