Run to God
1 Samuel 19: 18 “When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.”
When Russia invaded Ukraine in the year 24 February 2022, Ukraine President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky went about aggressively to galvanise support for Ukraine, leaning on his western allies(US) to provide aid and fast-track his country's membership of Nato. In between visits to the front line, he has spoken with foreign leaders to lobby support and attended conferences across the globe, pleading for help. Until this day, Zelensky has been looking at super-powers for help but not looking up at the Hills from where our help comes. Say Amen.
Our fortress
When Saul was murderously seeking to kill David, he fled to his spiritual mentor prophet Samuel in Naioth and stayed there the Bible says. He did not run to his home town or to his family but ran to the man of God who anointed him.
Psalm 59:16 “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
David wrote this psalm when Saul was in hot pursuit for his blood, we can see David’s calm trust and confidence in God and His protection. What is the meaning of fortress? “ It is a castle or other large strong building that is not easy to attack.” Ah, remember your God is a fortress, so when you run into that fortress you are safe. Proverbs 18:10-11 Amplified Bible (AMP) says “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil]. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.” Anybody listening? There are many out there who compromise prayer and intimacy with God and run after making wealth, eventually that is not going to save you friend.
WHEN THE ENEMY CHASES, GOD HIDES YOU:
Verse 19 “ Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him.
Friend, if David had run to his family for refuge he would not have had this kind of divine protection, this is amazing what you are going to hear me say. When Saul’s messengers who came to capture David, saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied, that is, they joined with the rest in praising God.” Wow, look at that! You don’t need sword and spear like the one king Saul carried with him, all we need is God on our side. Say Amen. Again Saul sent more messengers and they also started praising God. Finally Saul himself comes hunting for David, and the same thing happens to him too, we might think that the spirit of God would not come over a wicked man, but God did this to protect David. He stripped off his royal robe , because they were either too fine or too heavy for this service, and fell into a trance as it should seem, or into a rapture, which continued all that day and night.
STAY WITH GODLY FELLOWSHIP:
Being connected with saints of God is powerful, here in the above incident, God clearly exhibited the manifestation of His power through His prophets. Being part of godly prayer groups, Bible study, zoom prayers and so on are very essential for spiritual growth and protection so that you don’t get dragged away by the demon.
Stay close to spiritual mentors like prophet Samuel and listen to them.
Hebrews straightforwardly says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). Also, “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
I would like to conclude this sermon with an awesome testimony of group prayers and being in the company of saints:
During COVID season 2020, I started an early morning zoom prayer called ‘Booster group” from 5 am to 6 am which successfully functions till date. Also another evening mobile conference prayer from 6 pm to 7 pm since last year. When the wife of a blood cancer patient called me over phone and told me, ‘my husband is diagnosed with blood cancer’ who is a young man with a 5 year old son, I told her ‘let us pray, join me at 6 pm in the evening’. We called for people to join the group in the evening to pray for the cancer patient. 6 pm was a crucial time for many people but they did join, we prayed nonstop for one year, some times with tears and loud sobs when the patient would go through severe chemotherapy, after one year now his condition has been stabilized and he has been declared cancer free which is very rare among blood cancer patients. Both husband and wife were very sincere and attended prayers with faith and a repentant heart, God did the miracle. Glory to Jesus!
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
