Scripture

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars."
(1 Samuel 23:7)

Devotional

Both David and Saul believed that God was with them. Both had been anointed by God to be king. Nevertheless, obviously, the anointing had fallen from Saul and had fallen upon David. The lesson is clear. Whenever there is a conflict between those who call upon the name of the Lord, both will seek not only the favor of God, but also believe that God is with them. Saul believed that God had delivered David into his hand. But we know that God was with David and against Saul. Saul was deceived. Surely God was with Saul. There was no way for David to escape. It was obvious; who could deny it? God denied it and David escaped.
Let us, therefore, not judge by apparent circumstances. Just because things may be going a certain way does not always equate to God being with one or another. We see in part; God sees the whole. "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

(1) 1 Samuel 16:7

Text For The Day

1 Samuel 23:7: Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”

Thought For The Day

“It is easy to say we believe in God as long as we remain in the little world we choose to live in; but get out into the great world of facts, the noisy world where people are absolutely indifferent to you, where your message is nothing more than a crazy tale belonging to a bygone age, can you believe God there?” Oswald Chambers

Questions To Ponder

Without much doubt, all denominations and sects of Christianity believe that God is with the church. Is He?
Do you believe that God is with your church?
If you do not, may I ask, “What are you doing there?”

Morning Study Guide

Defining: Here is what I know about the obvious, there is at least one thing about it that I do not know.

Referencing: “‘Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:22-23

Applying: Be careful with what appears to be the obvious. It may obviously not be so.