Thoughts: Hannah's Blog

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Report?” If you are a school going kid, may be your report card? For a college going kid, may be mark sheet? For adults like me, doctor’s report? Don’t worry, I’m not going to discuss about any of the above.

I was reading through Saul’s unsuccessful chase of David; it is no less thrilling than a mystery novel or some television drama where destined lovers cross paths multiple times but never meet! Lots of close calls. Once such close call was after David fled Keilah.

Meanwhile, David and his men had moved into the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah Valley south of Jeshimon. When David heard that Saul and his men were searching for him, he went even farther into the wilderness to the great rock, and he remained there in the wilderness of Maon. But Saul kept after him in the wilderness.

 Saul and David were now on opposite sides of a mountain. Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men,  an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again. So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.

1 Samuel 23: 24-28 NLT

David and Saul on opposite sides of the mountain, Saul closing in on David, almost at his heels but then God makes Saul hear a report that would make him abandon the chase and return to his country, thus enabling David to find some respite at the strongholds of En-gedi (verse 29)

This reminded me of yet another report and respite. King Hezekiah and his people were being kept under siege by the Assyrians and their king Sennacherib kept sending out threats to terrify Hezekiah. Hezekiah sought the Lord, just like David and through the prophet Isaiah, God assured him of a report and a respite.

Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.’”

Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him.

2 Kings 19:7, 9a NIV

Do you feel that you are in a situation where you seem surrounded and no where to go and the enemy is closing in, close at your heels? May God send a report to your enemy and grant you the respite that is much needed! God bless!