Dangerous Distractions

Dangerous Distractions
Words of Faith 11-25-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Samuel 23:1-6
[1] When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," [2] he inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The Lord answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." [3] But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!" [4] Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand." [5] So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. [6] (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

Word came to David that a town of fellow Israelites was under attack. The conflict that had been going on between Saul and David had become such a distraction that the Philistines were now able to take advantage! Saul's chief commander was hiding in a forest and he was slaughtering the spiritual leaders of the nation. The internal battling and conflict of Israel provided the perfect opportunity for an old enemy attack and loot.
The attacks were on a town that was not significant at the time. It was a place that was easy for Saul to ignore. No one famous was from there. No great resources were at stake. No strategic location would be lost.
But David had a different view. In his heart, either a town can count on its people for protection or it cannot. He asked the Lord about this-- "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The question was a fair one. His men were not the best fighting force. They numbered only 600 and were gathered because of their discontent. They had few armaments, and the Philistines were known to be armed to to the teeth.
So David inquired several times of the Lord. Even David's men realized they had been afraid while living in the forest of Hereth. How much more would they fear the actual battlefield? The critical clarification was not simply whether David should go to battle. It was the assurance that the Lord was with them. This made the difference when God told David that He would guarantee David's victory over the Philistines.
For us, there are several things here.
The dangerous distraction of internal conflict is obvious. Israel was divided and distracted by the attacks by Saul against David and anyone who supported him. The Enemy of God's people will always exploit division among the people and among leadership. This is the strategy of Satan.
We don't want to miss the message of solidarity. It would have been easier to ignore the attacks against Keilah. But David had a much more powerful sense of solidarity. One cannot ignore the "little people" or the "little towns" without eventually jeopardizing the whole nation. This is part of what would make him a great king. The same is true in the Body of Christ; all must stand in solidarity.
The Apostle Paul put it so well: Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable are treated with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it so that there should be no division in the body but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it (1 Cor. 12:22-26).
A question to consider? Are we willing to stand with the "people of Keilah"-- those being looted by the Enemy? Are we willing to fight for those families who are under attack? Are we willing to go with the Lord to take back the towns under attack? Are we willing in these times to support those who are least able to defend themselves? We may have been afraid in the forest, but this battle belongs to the Lord.

Father God, keep me from distraction and keep me from being a distraction. Give me the courage to hear Your call to stand for the defenseless. Give me the courage to protect those who have no protection. Give me wisdom to discern Your battles and join You. Build the strength of Your Body as we stand together in solidarity. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.