1 Samuel 27:1 

New International Version (NIV)

But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

For Meditation

Everyone has a breaking point in life; a point where we feel so tired and vulnerable, where our strength and stature don’t matter anymore. Our closeness to God does not shield us from such low points. Moses and Elijah testify to this truth about vulnerability despite the anointing (Nu. 11:10-15; 1 Kings 19:3-4). The same truth undergirds David’s surprising decision to seek refuge among the Philistines (1 Kings 27:1). Otherwise, how could he even think about it? What better refuge is there apart from God’s refuge in which David had dwelt away from Saul’s senseless attack on his life? But that’s human frailty – a weakness that renders a person’s thoughts and considerations foggy when oppressed. In our fatigued moments, God’s grace seems to lose its power, so we seek something else for support. That’s when we make critical mistakes.

However, God is good. He knows our frame and fragility (Ps. 103:13-14). When He protects us from harm caused by our bad decisions, He does so to reveal His compassion and faithfulness for our strengthening.

David’s decision to take refuge among the Philistines was one classic decision in madness. For the man who killed Goliath, the champion giant of the Philistine army, to seek refuge among the same people he had wounded was suicidal, to say the least. But that’s how desperate we can be in the valleys of our life.

Many people have made pacts with the devil when hard pressed and suffocating by a tight situation. They have traded their conscience and integrity for the unthinkable. However, God’s grace does not cease with our missteps. Even through the valley of the shadow of death, our great Shepherd is with us (Ps. 23:4).

Saul retreated at the report of David’s flight to Gath, never to confront David again (1 Sam. 27:4; 31:4). David and his men found temporal refuge among the Philistines until the fog cleared for their return to Israel, but not without some lessons in suffering (30:1:25). Through it all, God had preserved His faithful servant, and glorified Himself.

Jesus knows where you are today. It’s not only by His omniscience, but more so by His personal experience of weakness in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:38-46). That’s why He is able to empathize with you where you are.

So, look to Jesus and be strengthened by His grace, which is always sufficient for you. He overcame His weakness in Gethsemane, because He persevered for our good and the Father’s glory (Heb. 12:2). When you set God’s glory as your goal in your weak moments, you will experience Christ’s victory and joy for your life in amazing ways.
Shalom