David was in a jam. Again.

Before David became king of Israel, he sometimes needed to find a place where he could hide from the king who preceded him. David’s gifts threatened King Saul and this led him to attempt to eliminate David.

So David fled to the Philistine city of Gath where he hoped to be sheltered. But the officials there reminded their king that David had slaughtered many of their own people.

Feeling trapped, David resorts to trickery. But it’s not the most clever or courageous ruse. He pretends to be insane so that the king will no longer perceive him as a threat. The king becomes convinced David is nothing more than a raving lunatic and orders him kicked out of the city.

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, David knows the true reality of the situation. God has preserved his life. The words he writes to commemorate God’s protection are profound:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭8-10,‬ NIV).

We just need a taste of God’s goodness to know that he is the real thing. David had sought out the Lord when the jaws of the trap were about to spring shut. And the Lord came through.

Was acting crazy God’s idea? The Bible doesn’t say that. But David recognizes that God had somehow used this weird plot to shield him from harm.

We all find ourselves in a jam at times. In that situation, you can’t go wrong by taste-testing God’s goodness. Seek him out. Tell him about your problem.

If he can use a dumb idea like David’s and somehow protect him — despite the utter lack of either brilliance or courage — think about what he might do for you!

Our Bible reading for Sunday, March 15, is Numbers 2:10 – 3:51, Luke 1:39-56, and Psalm 34:1-10.

Lord, protect me from harm and danger. Keep me from stumbling into Satan’s trap, or snares of my own making. Forgive me for my sins, and wash me clean in the blood of Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to taste your goodness and love daily.

Header image based on "Glasgow Cathedral Bible" by Clegg, CC By-SA 2.0