Perceive: After word gets back to Saul that David is in Keilah, Saul sends his army in what he assumed would be a trapped situation. He may have thought God was putting David into his hands and he could finally remove his enemy. David, on the other hand, continues to demonstrate his trust and dependence upon the Lord his God. Once again, through the high priest, he seeks a word from God. The Lord answers both his prayers, and he then takes immediate action. Although David saves the people of Keilah, they would rather turn him over to King Saul than protect someone who just delivered them from theft, death, and destruction. David and his men continue to dodge the relentless pursuit of evil King Saul.
 
Practice:  Not every new opportunity or opened door is something sent from God. Unfortunately, the human heart can want something so badly that we can assume any opportunity to obtain it is a divine sign. As is evident in the life of King Saul, this is not always true. Also, anything that counters biblical teaching or violates the will of God can never be from our Lord. Anytime you have an open door, be sure to double-check your motives and make sure you are following His desires and not putting your own first. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
 
Pray: Father, help me see my motives as You see them.  Protect me from walking into an ungodly opportunity. 

​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David hears the news that the Philistines are looting Keilah’s threshing floors which were their main source of food. In ancient Near Eastern towns, threshing floors often served as storage areas. David seeks the Lord’s guidance. The Lord gives him a clear directive to attack Israel’s sworn enemy; however, his men were afraid. Saul hunted them, and the Philistines hated them. It seemed overwhelming to David’s men to go up against a fierce, armed, and well-trained military. Therefore, David inquires a second time, and God gives His personal guarantee of victory over the Philistines. David led his men, and they delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.
 
Practice: Just like David, we should seek the Lord’s guidance before any significant action, especially in spiritual warfare. Rather than trying to find God’s will after the fact, we should take the time to determine God’s will before we step out. When we must take action, we can discern God’s will by reading and studying His word. Has God already addressed this or a similar situation? We can pray by asking, seeking, and knocking on doors (Matthew 7:2). We can use our brains and conduct quality research. We can seek wise counsel from godly biblical leaders. We can seek His peace and evaluate our circumstances considering Scripture.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me to learn Your Word, seek Your face, use my mind, ask for the godly counsel, and properly evaluate my circumstances.​


​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David wrote this psalm because of Doeg, the Edomite who witnessed David’s exchange with Ahimelech and then reported the incident as a spy to King Saul. This song contains three main sections: a description of someone who is evil (1-4), a judgment pending by God (5-7), and the blessings of a righteous man (8-9).  Doeg was one of Saul’s shepherds who is wicked and selfish. His most evil actions include murdering innocent men, women, and children. After this incident, he thought he was someone important due to the momentary favor from King Saul.
 
Practice:  Doeg represents a symbol of evil people, who will meet their just end; while David represents righteous people, who will be exalted by the Lord. God promises He will judge the evildoer. Our anger at the appearance of injustice should never block out or diminish our confidence in God’s desire and ability to defeat wickedness.  As Romans 12 says, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
 
Pray: Great and mighty God, thank You for Your word regarding evil and that someday You will hold every created being accountable for their actions. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: In his quest for blood Saul has seemingly destroyed all the existing priests of the Lord, which now includes removing any of the priestly sources for himself and any of his subjects to connect with God. In the providence of God, one son of Ahimelech named Abiathar escapes this massacre, secures the ephod and finds his way to David and his men. Abiathar is a young man at this point in his life, and he is the only surviving priest. Together these two will be friends and support each other for the rest of David’s life.
 
Practice:  The ephod was a priestly garment containing Urim and Thummim, two objects David and Abiathar routinely used to discern the will of God. Through their use, the high priest would help leaders determine God’s divine will during a national crisis. Apparently, priests could tell the future, determine guilt or innocence, and according to one theory, divide the land.[i] In a providential way, God supplies David with a high priest and an ephod to determine His will and to seek His ways. Today we have the word of God and the counsel of godly men to help us stay on track and to walk with God. Both were important to David and his men; both are important today.
 
Pray:  Lord, help me today, and every day I am on this earth to walk in Your ways, to discern Your will for my life, and to be a faithful, available, and teachable man.

[i] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
​​
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: After David finds a safe place for his parents, he continues to seek safety for himself and his band of brothers. To learn more about David’s current situation, King Saul resorts to offering a substantial reward. Doeg the Edomite informs the king he saw David talking to Ahimelech, the high priest, receive some food, and acquire a weapon. After Saul hears a report on the whereabouts of his sworn enemy, he reacts as a half-crazed lunatic. Next, he summons the priests, accuses them of aiding his enemy, and orders their deaths. Seeing the guards refuse to kill the Lord’s priests, Doeg the Edomite slays them all and kills all in the city of Nob including women and children.
 
Practice:  There is no guarantee that those who serve God will not suffer harm or even death at the hands of an evil individual or group. Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing!”  Regardless of man’s action or inaction, in the end, all evil will be obliterated. Believing individuals who remain faithful through their trials will experience greater rewards. In His ministry, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven,” (Matthew 5:10-12). 
 
Pray:  Heavenly Father, strengthen me for whatever battles I may face in this life and help me be a godly man no matter what.  

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David writes this Psalm during his time in the cave of Adullam. There are two main parts to this psalm. In the first half, David cries out to God with his complaint (1-4). He feels overwhelmed, desperate, and all alone. In the second half, he asks for relief from his circumstances (5-7). He hopes and prays for deliverance and seeks to make God his refuge. According to verse 7, he feels imprisoned by his situation. Clearly, David is in pain and this psalm he expresses his pain to the one source he can always go to, the Lord his God. Through David’s soulful expressions, we too can learn to pray better and more effectively.
 
Practice:  When we feel trapped in a difficult circumstance it can often feel like a prison. In such situations, it often appears as though our very life is at stake and our cries to God are despairing. God is especially inclined to hear us when we groan in desperation over a seemingly impossible situation. He loves to act to show His glory and advance His kingdom. Dramatic deliverance provides encouragement to God’s people. It was for David, and it will for you.
 
Pray: I cry aloud to You O Lord, my God. Hear my plea for relief. Free me from the prison of ___________________ or give me supernatural strength to persevere. May You be glorified in my life today. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: After hitting rock bottom, David escapes to the cave of Adullam where he finds some momentary seclusion, safety, and rest. Feeling all alone, he pours out his heart to God. In this dark and damp setting, he finds God answering his prayers and sending him his extended family members and then four hundred malcontents. Most likely his family members were hunted by Saul.  The four hundred malcontents were men who were in distress (or in some trouble), in debt, and discontented (having some grievance or major loss). In a way unique to the Lord, David becomes their leader, and he starts building an army of well-trained men. He is no longer alone or without people who want to be with him.
 
Practice:  God likes doing things in some strange places, and he often sends some strange people into our lives at just the right moment and time. These people were castaways themselves and could only improve their lives by helping David become king. David’s leadership over this band of misfits illustrates his resourcefulness, ability to lead, and skills at motivating others. It takes a competent and skillful leader to build an effective fighting force out of the kind of men God sent him. If you are facing difficult circumstances that make you feel captive, consider getting closer to the people God has placed in your life. They are there for a reason!
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me face the things that make me feel like a prisoner trusting in You as well as seeing who You send to help.​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David wrote this Psalm because of his experience when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away.  This song contains five main sections: he vows to praise God and invites others to join him (1-3), he shares how God answered his prayers (4-7), and he exhorts others to seek the Lord (8-11). He states that men who fear God don’t lie, they turn from evil, do good, and seek peace (12-14), and he ends with a set of moralistic principles from which to live (15-22). David wants the reader to know God pays attention to those who call on Him.
 
Practice:  Whether God does or does not provide escape from troubling times, we can be certain He always hears and acts on behalf of those who love and serve Him. There is no absolute assurance that God will deliver all true believers from adverse circumstances. Unfortunately, in our evil world sometimes people starve to death and die as martyrs. Over history, thousands of Christian men and women have been beaten to death, whipped, fed to lions, or beheaded. God can and often delivers His people so we must never give up hope. No matter what the outcome of a horrific circumstance, we must acknowledge that God sees and cares. We can and must place our faith, hope, and trust in Him.
 
Pray:  Lord, help me to see You in every one of my battles and to have hope only in You. No matter what the outcome, I trust in You, Your judgments, and Your actions. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David penned this psalm regarding his experience when the Philistines seized David in Gath. This song contains six sections: he pours out his complaint (1-2), he shares his confidence in God amidst his fears (3-4), he continues his complaint about evil men (5-6), and he asks God to help him (7-8). He acknowledges his faith in God over the fear of men (9-11), he ends with a vow, a spirit of thankfulness and a commitment to continue walking with God (12-13). Oh, that we would all face our fears in the same way David faces the fearful situations in his life.
 
Practice:  Trusting God’s care during a fearful situation takes faith and discipline. If you lack faith and discipline, the Lord is apt to use a fearful circumstance in your life to bring about a growing trust and faith. When God is leading the cause of His man, those who work against His man will never succeed. Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul.” (Matthew 10:28). As serving men of God, we should fear God, who controls this life and the next. The next time you face a horrific circumstance, remember God sees every tear shed, every fear felt, and every discouraging moment. Lean on Him because He cares for you.
 
Pray: O God I praise You and thank You for all the circumstances I find in my life both comfortable and difficult. I put my trust in You, and I shall not be afraid of man. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Fear does strange things to a man’s ability to reason. In this situation, David may have thought going to Gath was a good idea since Saul would never think to look for him in that location. It isn’t long until the servants of king Achish recognize David and even know the latest song in Israel. This revelation increased David’s fear to the point he felt so desperate for his life that he acted insanely and let saliva drip from his beard. It was customary at this time in history not to harm mentally ill people. Even though he was protecting himself by acting insane, David finally hit rock bottom.
 
Practice:  At this point in the life of David he has lost his job, his wife, his counselor, his best friend, and now he has lost his self-respect. In the case of David, it appears the Lord is removing all the people and things he would be tempted to rely on, rather than leaning into the Lord. Anytime we lean on something rather than on the Lord; He will remove the crutch. Crutches come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Things like cash, careers, cute girls, and counselors to name a few. Whenever God removes a crutch from your life, there will be pain and instability. This pain and instability is the Lord’s way of driving you back into leaning on Him.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, show me those things where I am leaning on something or someone other than You. Gently remove any crutch that hinders me from walking by faith and living in hope.   ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com