But God's Plan

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

David

7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “

Introduction:

Let take a quick journey of how God has provided his plan for many who have played a significant role in history who were evidently held in God’s plan. There are a list , Noah, lived in a time when wickedness roamed throughout the land, but God raised up Noah for a time of Salvation. Abraham and Sarah were called to become the parents of God’s people, but Sarah was barren, yet God gave them Issac, and then God tells Abraham take your son to the mountain and make a sacrifice, Abraham goes to the mountain and prepares the sacrifice. As Abraham starts to complete the sacrifice of Issac, God provides.

Moses is another example of how God has a plan. Who would have thought the small baby would survive the basket ride in the Nile, but Gods hand was upon him, he would not only survive the Nile but also the his own angry people, time alone because had a plan for him.

Throughout history there have been many stories how God had a plan that was beyond comprehension. The list includes: Sarah, Hannah, Esther, Samuel, David, many prophets, Mary, and 12 most unlikely disciples, but God had a plan. Even in various time in church history God had a plan.

The Fire at the Epworth Rectory (1709) John Wesley was born in 1703, the fifteenth child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley. In February 1709, when John was about five years old, a fire broke out at the family’s home, the rectory in Epworth, England. The fire spread rapidly through the large timber-framed house late at night, and the family scrambled to escape.

Samuel Wesley got most of the children out, but in the confusion, John was left behind upstairs in the burning building. His parents and siblings thought he had perished. However, John was seen at an upstairs window. With no time to reach him from the inside, neighbors formed a human ladder, standing on each other’s shoulders, and pulled him out of the flames just in time — moments before the roof collapsed.

"A Brand Plucked from the Burning"

This dramatic rescue deeply affected the family, especially his mother, Susanna. She believed John was saved for a divine purpose. She referred to him as:

“a brand plucked from the burning” —a phrase taken from Zechariah 3:2. Zechariah 3:2 (NIV84) 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

This description stuck with John Wesley for the rest of his life. He also saw this event as a sign that God had preserved him for a special reason. It became a key moment in his understanding of divine providence and helped shape his later sense of mission and destiny.

Davids story has to be one of the most amazing stories of all. At various points in his life many wrote David off as just a shepherd boy, but God had other plans. Beyond just being the Champion over the Giant, God had bigger plans for him. Even during the most heated battles God’s plan went beyond the victory. David was set aside for a special task. Not even the might and power of King Saul would change the plan God had for his servant David.

This story of Saul in hot pursuit of David is such an amazing reminder to us that even when our enemies have other plans for us, they forget the God factor in our lives. Saul was about to pursue and kill David but God had other plans.

Presumptuous Victory

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “

Saul’s Determination

To rid any threat to his kingdom

To rid the earth of David

Saul’s Assumed Victory

Keilah the city and David will be easy pickings

The Lord has handed him over to me

David has imprisoned himself by entering the town

Saul’s Forces March Toward Keilah

Go Down to Keilah

Besiege David and his men

Prayerful Inquiry

9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the LORD said, “He will.” 12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will.”

The Ephod

Was use in seeking Revelation from God

As the situation intensified David sought God’s guidance

The Prayer

Oh, Lord Saul’s on his way

Will the citizen’s Keilah had me and my men over to Saul? They Will!

Will Saul come down as i have heard - He Will

Will Keilah give us over to Saul - They Will

Dessert Strong Holds

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there. 14 David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him..

On the move

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and

Cave to Cave

Palace to place

Strong hold to Strong hold

Saul refused to Give up

But God...

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

but God did not give David into his hands.

God’s Plan -

The sacrificed son was not Issac's Fate

The River Nile was not Moses Fate

The Fate of David was not defeat at the hands of Saul

God did not Give David into His Hands

God’s plan included kingship for David

Assurance

The New International Version (1984) Saul Pursues David

16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17

Jonathan’s Encouragement

Don’t Be Afraid

My father will lay a hand on you

You will be king

I will serve you

Johnathan and David Covenant

A covenant of Loyalty

A covenant of Friendship

A Covenant of Commitment to God.

But God has a plan… for David and also for us. imagine every Godly significant figure in church History has not just become significant because of their amazing talents, but because of God plans for them. God has a plan for each of you today,,, Be attentive to his guidance to pursue his plan for you....