1 Samuel 27:1-28:2 – Grace in the Country of the Philistines
Thankfully, the message of the Bible is good news to people like David: those fleeing from where they ought to be, those who’ve remained where they ought not to be, and those living lives of deceit. David is undeserving, but God is a God of undeserving love.
We see it throughout the chapter. David is wrong to disappear to the country of the Philistines, but God uses it to give him respite from Saul (verse 4). David is wrong to dwell (remain) there, but God provides a home away from home, and Ziklag becomes a place of security and safety away from the Philistines and Saul. David is wrong to deceive, but God uses David’s raids to protect and defend Israel, and God will use David’s spoils of war to bless his people (30:26-31). David is in a dilemma of his own making, but God will wonderfully intervene to solve it (though not before it gets worse). God is not mentioned in this chapter, but his gracious fingerprints are all over it, despite David’s sin. God is a God of grace – undeserved love.
If you are aware that you have, metaphorically, been in the country of the Philistines like David, living a lie in Doubtsville – this is the God you need. This is the God who gave his own Son to deal with the consequences of our seasons of disobedience-fuelled doubts and deceits. This is the God who gave his own Son so he could deal with us, not as our sins deserve, but with undeserved favour. The cross is a sign of what God does for his chosen people in the country of the Philistines.
Perhaps you’re contemplating going there, to the place of disobedience. You are weakening in a particular battle against sin and considering giving in to a certain temptation. Perhaps you have already gone and are still there. Perhaps you know your heart well enough to know that you’ll visit there again someday. You need to know that God is a God of grace – grace that forgives, solves, sorts, heals, restores, and provides, even in the country of the Philistines.
Questions
- Where do you need God’s grace today?
Prayer Points
- Bring your weakness and temptation to our gracious God in prayer.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.