I Samuel 27:4
“Now it had been reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.”
A few verses earlier, David left Israel so Saul would stop chasing him. Today's verse states that it worked. David and his company of 600 men who most likely had families, so nearly 2,500 people had some rest. Periods of conflict will be in and out of our lives.
Paul says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with all men", (Romans 12:18). Unfortunately this wasn't possible with Saul. David is responsible for all those people. It is a good thing for him to find safety for them. It's amazing how he kept that many people from being caught. No doubt that's why they left.
We will have conflict with people. There are some measures we can take to limit it. That can be a good thing. In our youths, most were much more rigid. Thus unwilling to bend. We tell ourselves that we are standing up for principles. While this is important, there is often much more wiggle room out there. Pastor Chuck Smith said, "Blessed are the flexible for they will not be broken."
How we say things can reduce conflict. We haven't yielded one bit, our delivery is the difference. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife." Not only what is said, but how we say it can calm another.
David saw being out of the land was equated with being cut off from the Lord. David said in I Samuel 26:19b, "I would have no share in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods'". Therefore he wouldn't remain there. It was like when Jesus and his parents fled to Egypt. It was temporary. We may be in an unexpected place temporarily. God often surprises us. That's an exciting aspect of following the Lord, He does the unexpected. We can look back on our lives and see much that we would have never guessed. Lamentations 3:22 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end."
Sometimes troubles are part of His plan. To avoid them would be disobedience. I Peter 4:12, 13 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed." We seek a resolution following godly means while trusting Him to bring us through in a blessed way.
In all of this, as we trust the Lord and follow His guidance, He will bring about good resolutions. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that, "He has made everything beautiful in His time...". It's usually not how we would have expected. Then comes our flexibility, we adjust to the new outcome. That's why our plans and goals should be written in pencil. He is the Lord and our lord.
Thank You God for Your guidance and blessing. Even though we find ourselves in unexpected spots, we know You've got us and good things are in store.