I have been studying and reading 1 Samuel. I am reading and following the story of David and his escape from King Saul. Saul pretty much wants David’s head as David took the head of Goliath. The book of Samuel displays how David is running from Saul yet David is following the compass set by the Lord.
In 1 Sam 23, David sees the Philistines are attacking the town of Keilah. This concerns David even though his main goal is to escape the grasp of Saul. But David asks the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ He asked God again, my men are afraid, what do you want me to do? God answered again, ‘Go down to Keilah for I am going to give your enemy into your hand.’
The passage continues and David asked the Lord for his direction and the Lord alerts David and his men that the people of Keilah will turn you over to Saul if the citizens capture David. So David hurries off into the wilderness.
Jonathan, whom has pledged his loyalty to David tells him, ‘Don’t be afraid. My father will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel and even my father Saul knows this.’ But the cat and mouse game looms on as Saul wants David to be dead.
As I have been reading through 1 Samuel, it is interesting to follow the Lord’s guidance and guiding David in the right direction. Not once has David been caught in a corner, but always one step ahead of Saul. It is comforting to me that God travels with me on the roads I travel. God points out dangers and corrects my misdirection as a parent corrects a child. David asked twice for direction earlier in the passage and God answered specifically, go and attack the Philistines I will be with you.
It is not easy to follow the map laid out by God nor it is always clearly marked with huge overhead signs pointing to exits or mile markers. So how do we read God’s map for each day? I believe in order to read the map we must first, consult Him in prayer, search His Word, and Trust in Him. God speaks but sometimes we don’t listen. We need to learn to trust in Him and follow His path, not ours.
Prayer Requests:
Pray that my final 4 weeks will be fruitful
Pray that I will have a Christlike attitude during these final stretching weeks before I return to America
Pray for wisdom and God’s leading for my time in America
Pray that I may dawn the armor of God daily to fight the evil one
PS – Sorry I did not write last week, I had a major computer crash that took urgent need to recover and rebuild.
Here are a few pictures from a visit to my wasfamili on Sunday afternoon:
Tyler and Emily in PNG 
I see each picture of those that you take and it seems you can bring smiles to all of them ! I know you only have so long before you are gone but just remember and never forget how many smiles you have made and that is one thing that is always important ! God enjoys his smiles !