A sheep has to have a shepherd and stay close to him and listen to him. If you wander away from your shepherd you will die. That’s the law of the jungle.

Do not choose to be a sheep alone in the jungle.

I spoke with various people after last week’s message and they were saying, “I really relate to Saul doing desperate and stupid things.” They say, “I’m like that. I don’t want to be, but I am.”

Trusting in Jesus and obeying God look like you’re going to die. It looks like a better bet is to try to save your life. Conserve what you have and try to make it last.

But until when? In reality we’re going to die.

Some people think that David is backsliding in this chapter. In fact, he hasn’t stopped expecting God to fulfill His promise to make him king over Israel.

I’ll think, “Didn’t I do this right last time? Why do I have to do this again?” God is going to repeat situations in our lives to discipline us to go His way. How many repetitions? As many repetitions as He thinks necessary.

It’s one thing to have to deal with the king of Israel on his level. David is also the anointed of the Lord. There’s an equality of sorts there.

What happens when David has a problem with someone way below him?

God is teaching David how to live in the secret place with God. That’s a place of safety, security, of peace.

The emphasis is on “with God.” You can’t live this way apart from Him.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.

You read that and think, that sounds great. Security and peace in God’s presence. Let me live there. Where is it?

Where would you go if you couldn’t depend on anyone?

David goes to the house of God, where he receives almost everything he needs.

David is exceptional. God is blessing him. We expect God to bless him like this.

But we don’t expect what happens next: everything in David’s life falls apart. He loses all he has gained up until now.