Sometimes, especially when life is hard, it is difficult to see the Lord’s presence in our lives. We can feel alone, having to face an all too often cruel world by ourselves. We wonder whether the Lord knows what we are going through – or even if He cares. These types of perceptions can be paralyzing and depressing, but thankfully there is a cure for them. The cure is to look to the Bible, the Word of God. In the Bible, we see that the Lord is always at work in the lives of His people, often in ways that they did not expect or realize. Such is the story of David on the run from Saul. With his life hanging by a thread, David put his faith in the Lord to preserve him, in accordance with His promise to David. The dangers around David did not get less (in fact they increased!), but the Lord delivered him over and over again. We should take great comfort from the truth that we serve the same God that David served, “The God Who Delivers” (1 Samuel 23:1-29).

I. He Delivers by Guidance
A. Living by God’s Word
B. Trusting in God’s Word

II. He Delivers by Encouragement
A. The Honor of Being Second
B. Reminders of the Promises

III. He Delivers by Providence
A. The Hardness of Life
B. The Mysterious Work of God

Questions for consideration: (1) In what ways is God’s Word important to your everyday life? Could you see yourself living without it? Why or why not? (2) Why is it so hard for us in our day to “settle” for being second? What does that say about our relationship with the Lord? (3) Why is it so hard for us to see God in our most difficult times? What can we do to keep our focus on Him?