Running with Confidence

As Achish and the Philistine army march toward Saul and the Israelite army, David and his men are in the rear with Achish. When some of Achish's men realize David is with them, they protest to the king that these "Hebrews" are only going to turn on the Philistines during battle and should not be allowed to fight. Achish tries to defend David, but the rulers persist and Achish sends David back from battle. David attemps to convince Achish to let him come, defending his loyalty to the king so far, but Achish makes him go back to the land of the Philistines. Whether David planned to turn on the Philistines in battle is left a mystery, and David finds himself out of a situation where he would have been forced to choose. I wonder what David would have done. So far in his story, he has so fiercely protected Saul as the Lord's annointed that I don't think he would have fought against him. I also wonder why God took the decision out of his hands. The irony to me is the raw faith of David to continue running in the direction he felt God desired of him without worrying or manipulating. He believed that God would provide the answer - even the way out - in His time and he led his men without a certainty of the next move. The outcast and disheartened were drawn to him, however, meaning that they could see in him a hope and future that they so desperately wanted. I pray for the confidence that comes with trusting beyond the moment or situation. I pray for the ability to see outside this day and into the bigger story; for the confidence to run for tomorrow.