The Stronghold of En Gedi

I

t was a dry, arid wasteland with little protection from the elements.  During the day, the sun beat down on the land with a fury; and at night the cold, frigid air of the desert wrapped everything in its mantle. There was very little water, practically no food, and caves were the only haven from the heat and the cold.

This was the wilderness of En Gedi where David hid from the relentless pursuit of Israel’s King Saul.  From the time of his victory over the Philistines’ towering champion, Goliath, Saul had been in pursuit of David, intent on taking his life.  Whenever he learned that David was in a certain location, Saul pursued him.  Finding and killing the son of Jesse had become an obsession with the king.

On two occasions, David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life. His men encouraged him to do so; believing God had delivered Saul into David’s hand.  Everything was to David’s advantage.  Saul was alone.  He did not know David was near.  The king was unarmed and would prove easy prey.  But David refused to act because Saul was God’s anointed, his chosen king over Israel.

While Saul was in a cave, David approached him and cut off a portion of his robe.  Saul was unaware that David had been that close to him.  He had no idea David could have killed him had he chosen to do so.  As he left to rejoin his men, Saul heard a familiar voice calling to him.  David’s voice was distinct and he recognized it immediately.  David asked the king why he wanted to take his life.  When he held up the piece of Saul’s garment as proof he could have killed him, Saul realized David had acted justly toward him.

Saul praised David for his righteous behavior and asked a favor of him.  Saul had David swear that he would not do away with his descendants when David became king over Israel.  David swore an oath to Saul he would remember his descendants and not wipe them out.  After David became king, he kept this promise to Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 9.(click on the scripture reference to read about this)

In 1 Samuel 24:22, we have a very interesting passage of scripture. “So, David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.”  Take notice of the two directions taken by both men.  They couldn’t have been more opposite!  Saul went home but David returned to the stronghold of En Gedi.  Although he had made peace with Saul, David remained in the desert stronghold, staying there with his men, living in the desert and taking shelter and refuge in the caves.

Sometimes in the Christian walk, God places us in desert strongholds.  These places are removed from everything with which we are familiar.  In the stronghold, David had no comfortable surroundings. He did not sleep on a soft bed, he did not eat the finest cuisine, he did not drink the best wines, and he did not dress in the latest fashion.  The stronghold was not adorned with fine decorations and it had no central air conditioning or heat.  All it offered was sand, heat, cold, and safety.

You see, the stronghold was David’s haven.  It was here he learned to lead his men.  If he were going to lead a nation, he would first have to lead his men and what better place to learn how to lead than in an environment that demanded a leader.  In the desert stronghold, David was molded and fashioned into the great leader that would shepherd the flock of Israel.  In the En Gedi wilderness, he learned to depend on God and on him alone.  In the stronghold, he was safe, he was cared for, and he was under the constant surveillance of God, himself.

Today, it may seem God has taken you away from your familiar surroundings.  He may be asking you to stay in the desert instead of returning to the comfort of home.  If this is your situation, take heart.  God never calls us to En Gedi unless he has great plans for us.  In the stronghold, he is able to mold and shape us according to his plan for our lives.  In the stronghold, we are totally dependent on him which is exactly the lesson he wants us to learn.  In the caves of En Gedi, God forged Israel’s greatest king and taught him to place his faith and trust solely in God.  When David emerged from the desert, he wasn’t the same man he was when he entered.

 

The same is true for us.  If God has called you to the stronghold today, be patient and be encouraged.  He is in the process of conforming you to the image of his son.  In the stronghold, you will learn to lean on him, to trust him, and to cast every care you have on his shoulders.  Yes, in the stronghold is where God works, molding and shaping us until we are ready to be used for his purposes.  Won’t you enter the stronghold today?