Hiding Places

1 Samuel 23:14 (KJV) And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

David stayed in the wilderness while he was being hunted by Saul. Even after it became obvious that the Lord was not going to let Saul touch him, he remained in the wilderness. It became his normal existence after a time. So we should stay behind the Lord as He leads, abiding in the place where He leads us through Providence until He moves us on. Some of these places are difficult; the wilderness is no luxury hotel.

But while there, we can find many strongholds, many safe hiding spots where we can seek Him and find rest and safety. These spots are sprinkled throughout the wilderness, and we can go from one cherished little spot to another, hiding ourselves in Him, scooting up close to Him, and finding peace and refuge. In these places, He keeps us inaccessible to the enemy. We are still and quiet, able to hear Him, silent, but clinging to Him in heart. He somehow provides our needs while we are there, sending people with provisions or having some unexpected blessing cross our path in some unexpected way.

At first, the wilderness and its strongholds are places of uncertainty and even panic, but, as we abide there and see the Lord’s impenetrable protection, and sense that He is with us, we gain confidence and authority in Him. He even prepares us there for what is coming in the next seasons of life. Psalm 23:5a (ESV) “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..,”

The enemy knows that we are holed up somewhere with the Lord. Like Saul, he says to his minions, “…Find out all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information…”(1 Samuel 23:21-23, NIV). But in spite of all his efforts, David – and we – are completely safe. Though Satan searches for us every day, trying to prevent our times with the Lord, times where we hear from Him and get His battle strategies, times when we simply abide with Him in intimacy, the Lord will never, never deliver us into the hand of our enemy. Truly, we are hidden in Him.

Father, Father! Your Word is life to me! I can sense You pouring life into me as I take it in. Oh what ravishing wonder!! So Lord, I will run into the hiding places You provide for me. I do not despise the wilderness. There I  meet with You and know Your protection and fellowship and fathering! Thank you for the wilderness!