The past several years have been a significant training ground in surrender. Confronted with the truth of God’s Word, my husband and I realized that much of the way we had been doing ministry previously did not reflect the call to discipleship so resonant throughout all of Scripture. Our hearts ablaze with passion and zeal, we put our plows to the soil in obedience. Today, eyes filled with the dust of breaking dry ground, we live by that same conviction for the things to which God has called us. Our experience, however, has not been without questions and tears.

Running from a man with deep insecurities, David knew no place that would guarantee safety. In a time fraught with danger, a seemingly innocent bystander became a menace to David’s life and to the well-being of those who aided him (1 Samuel 22:21-23). But no matter what others thought of him, David’s heart beat with a love for God’s people. When he heard of the distress of Keilah, David acted in obedience to God (1 Samuel 23:5).

As we consider David’s victory, it’s ironic that the same people he saved would be willing to turn him over to Saul (1 Samuel 23:12). Why would they agree to betray him? They knew the awful things Saul had done to the people of another town—Nob—when they had helped David (1 Samuel 22:9-23), and they were afraid. David, however, maintained his belief that God had been and would always be his safety—the One who would guard and defend his life (1 Samuel 23:16,18).

David knew the choices of man couldn’t deter the ultimate will of God. He placed his life in the secure knowledge that “the Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). David kept moving forward with his faith firmly anchored in the Rock of salvation. So should we.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Philippians 2:1-18