Haven of Rest

1 Samuel 19:18

“When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.”

In an interview on Radio Inquirer last Tuesday night, NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower Jun Lozada said he has accepted that his previous life was gone already. “Since I testified three years ago, I had to live in a convent for security reasons. It has been three months since my family and I have returned to our house but it’s not the same anymore. The security issues are still there.”  It was not the first time the doors of seminaries and convents opened its door for those who seek refuge. During the martial law years, they also took in victims of human rights violations. And now with former state auditor Heidi Mendoza’s uncovering the pocketed millions of pesos in the military funds, they again expressed willingness to provide her a sanctuary.

When death was lying in wait at his door, God provided a window for David’s escape. Next question is where to go. If security was top of his mind, there’s his father’s house in Bethlehem. Maybe he can tap his military brothers to fight alongside him. If all he needed was sorting and sympathy, there’s Jonathan to stand by him. But of course, that’s’ running closer to danger. David knew better than to seek some feel-good, pat-on-the-back answers. Ever since the anointing with oil, his life has never been the same. And so he sought for the root of the matter. It’s one thing to know God’s purposes for us, it’s another to allow Him to guide us with our every step. Samuel brought him to a school of prophets, maybe thinking Saul would not attempt to slay him there. That’s the hope of a sanctuary. But even before he ran for his life, David already had his Fortress. He was already singing the Lord’s salvation on his way to Ramah. There’s no haven safer than being in the hands of our Father.

Spending a weekend in retreat houses, seeking the company of friends, even shopping for ladies are all valid steps to de-stress us from our tormentors. But all can’t guarantee a stop. We will still all go home insecure and unprotected. Saul thrice sent men to capture David there, he even went himself. Ramah obviously could not offer him immunity. His Refuge did. David’s valley of death did not end here. It will continue on. When we cast our cares on God, it doesn’t mean He not pull us out from our pains, but He will make sure we are strong for the struggle. He will be our Strength, our true Haven of Rest.