The Call of Keilah

When David heard that the Philistines had attacked Keilah, ransacking the threshing floors and stealing the grain, he prayed and asked God for guidance.

David (to the Lord): Should I attack these Philistines?

Eternal One: Yes. Save Keilah, and defeat the Philistines.

David’s Men (objecting): We have a lot to fear even as we sit here in Judah. Think how much worse it will be if we go to fight the armies of the Philistines in Keilah.

So David asked the Eternal again just to make sure.

Eternal One: Yes, defend Keilah. I will grant you victory over the Philistines.

(1 Samuel 23:1-4 VOICE)

The people of Keilah were under attack by the Philistines. Upon hearing of their plight, David did not make a hasty decision to rush in, instead, he immediately sought God’s guidance, and God told him to go into hostile territory – a daring expedition that from man’s perspective would be an exercise in futility.

David, at that time, was still in exile, a refugee in Judah, so he was well aware that for him to answer this distress call was to place himself and his men in grave danger. Not surprisingly, his men objected, but David, who God Himself testified was, “a man after My own heart”, did not allow human reasoning – neither his men’s nor his own – to cause him to be disobedient to God.

Have you ever felt prompted to act in a way that seemed impractical even nonsensical to you and to others but you just know that it is the Lord’s leading? And, despite this knowing you allow the objections of those around you to bring doubt? Pray for God’s guidance. Do not allow reasoning to enter into the equation, always keep in mind what God said in Isaiah 55:8-9,

“My intentions are not always yours, and I do not go about things as you do. My thoughts and My ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth.” (VOICE)

Exactly.

“Instead, God has deliberately chosen to use ideas the world considers foolish and of little worth in order to shame those people considered by the world as wise and great.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27 (TLB)

Have you received the call of Keilah – the call of obedience to God? What has God called you to do that makes absolutely no sense but deep down you know it’s what you ought to do?

When God tells you to act in a way that does not fall in line with sanity, do it anyway. Pray for His guidance. Hold firm to your conviction that God has spoken into your life. Hold on to the guarantee of God. Pay no attention to wagging tongues, simply choose to obey God. 

Amen†

The Call of Keilah

Shelley Johnson March 7, 2017