1 Samuel 23:1-5: a reflection

1David was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.” 2Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” The LORD said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.” 3David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. The LORD answered him, and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 5David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

When David hears that the Philistines are attacking Keilah, he inquires of the LORD whether to go and fight them, and God says to go. But David's men are afraid: We are afraid here, they say; how much more if we go against the armies of the Philistines? And notice what David does: he inquires of the LORD yet again. God answers a second time, reassuring him, Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand. And then David goes and obeys, despite the fear, and saves the city. He sought God's confirmation when his men were afraid, and then obeyed.

Notice what David did when fear arose: he sought God again, and then obeyed despite the fear. He had already inquired of God once; but when his men's fear arose, he did not simply push ahead or give up, but inquired of God again, seeking confirmation and reassurance. And God answered again, reassuring him. Then David obeyed, going forward despite the fear, on the strength of God's word. He did not let fear stop him, but he did seek God's reassurance in the face of it, and then acted on God's word.

That is worth taking to heart, for when fear arises about what God has called us to, we too can seek his reassurance and then obey despite the fear. When we face something God has called us to, and fear arises, in us or in others, we can be tempted either to push ahead heedlessly or to give up; but David sought God's reassurance in the face of the fear, and then obeyed. When fear arises about what God has called you to, do not simply give up, nor push ahead heedlessly; seek God's confirmation and reassurance, as David inquired again, and then obey despite the fear, on the strength of his word. Bring your fears to God, seek his reassurance, and then go forward in obedience, as David inquired of the LORD again when his men were afraid, received God's reassurance, and then obeyed and saved the city, despite the fear.

Lord, when David hears that the Philistines are attacking Keilah, he inquires of you whether to go and fight them, and you say to go. But David's men are afraid: we are afraid here, they say; how much more if we go against the armies of the Philistines? And notice what David does: he inquires of you yet again. You answer a second time, reassuring him, arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand. And then David goes and obeys, despite the fear, and saves the city. Show me what David did when fear arose: he sought you again, and then obeyed despite the fear. He had already inquired of you once; but when his men's fear arose, he did not simply push ahead or give up, but inquired of you again, seeking reassurance. And you answered again. Then David obeyed, going forward despite the fear, on the strength of your word. Take that to my heart, for when fear arises about what you have called me to, I too can seek your reassurance and then obey despite the fear. When I face something you have called me to, and fear arises, in me or in others, I can be tempted either to push ahead heedlessly or to give up; but David sought your reassurance and then obeyed. When fear arises about what you have called me to, keep me from simply giving up, or pushing ahead heedlessly; help me seek your confirmation and reassurance, as David inquired again, and then obey despite the fear, Lord, on the strength of your word.