In times of trouble, he will hide me – Part 2

David came close to death in his numerous encounters, therefore, he knew what it meant to be delivered from the enemy’s hand in time of trouble. He had seen the Lord deliver him from the hand of Saul, and on numerous occasions from the Philistines. In Psalm 27:4-6, he said that the Lord would deliver him “in time of trouble and hide him in his pavilion and set him upon a rock.” That is to say, God will keep him beyond the reach of his enemies.

God has the power to keep us beyond the reach of the enemy in times of trouble. No matter how hard Satan trIes, God is able to keep us. David’s close encounters are proof that God keeps one in the secret place of his tabernacle when the troubles of life arise.

In 1 Samuel 17:32-37, David testifies that God delivered him from the lion and the bear in the wilderness, and for that reason, he boasted before king Saul, God would deliver him from the hand of Goliath, “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God” (I Samuel 17:36 NKJV).‬

Again, 1 Samuel 23:1-14, God delivered David from two tragedies. First, was in Keilah, and then from the hand of Saul in the wilderness of Maon. In verse 14 we read, “And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.” So close did David come to being captured by Saul in the wilderness of Maon that he named the place the Rock of Escape (1 Samuel 23:25-29).

God also delivered David from the Amalekites who raided and looted his camp at Ziklag and carried his family and that of his volunteers away. He later fought the Amalekites and recovered all they took from his camp at Ziklag (1 Samuel 30).

At the valley of Raphaim, God delivered him from the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20-25). But all these deliverances seemed nothing when compared to the dramatic manner David was almost slain by Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of Goliath. The intervention of Abishai saved the day for Israel’s lamp from being extinguished on this occasion (2 Samuel 21:15-17).

God delivered David from the hand of many other nations whom he conquered, the Moabites, from Zobah, the Syrians, the Ammonites, the Amalekites, and the Edomites (2 Samuel 8:1-13).

Therefore, David knew first hand what deliverance by God meant. Then comes this clincher: if God delivered David these numerous times, don’t you think he will deliver those of us who live under a better covenant than David did? Don’t you think God would set us high on a rock beyond the reach of Satan?

Because of God’s deliverance, David now said, “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD” (Psalms 27:6 NKJV). In like manner, God deserves our praise.‬

Close to the ancient city of Jericho was a spot where Achan was stoned to death called the Valley of Achor. Achor means a place of trouble and gloom. In Hosea 2:15, God promises to transform the place of trouble to a place of Hope. God can turn our troubles into a place of hope. Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com