But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.” So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath.

1 Samuel 27:1-2 (4-20-11)

Thought to himself.

When David asked God’s direction, he got it, as well as God’s protection.

But on two huge occasions, instead of asking God, he thought to himself. And both were disasters.

First, he escaped from home and in the end the priest’s entire family was killed except for one survivor.

Now, even though God has obviously been guiding and protecting him, instead of continuing to trust God, he thinks to himself and takes his safety into his own hands, leading to his home being ransacked and him almost joining the Philistines in war against Israel.

Of course, the hardest place to live is on the edge of God’s protection. Where you’re not generally trusting God, but where He has to come through on a regular basis just to keep you alive and well. David grew tired of living in that place and moved to where he could make his own safety.

My tendency is to do the same. To seek self-made safety.

But it’s only right to move to the place of ease if God guides you there. Otherwise, our job is to live on the edge where God’s protection and provision are required. It’s a place that requires constant faith and close listening. But it’s also the place closest to God’s heart and the place I need to learn to stay.

[Father, forgive me for seeking the safe path. Help me to live on the edge of Your protection and provision, where Your glory is most accomplished and Your greatness manifested.]