Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah…And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering a town that hath gates and bars. (1 Samuel 23:2, 7)

The moment of truth in every Christians’ life comes when we put our trust in the LORD and he delivers us into the hand of our enemy. For most people, this kind of crisis is more than they can handle, but the seasoned Christian that is used to handling adversity will walk away with a renewed resolve to press on and finish the race they have been called to run.

Paul expresses it perfectly when he writes from prison “But I would have ye understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil 1:12). Paul goes on in his letter to the Philippians to explain why we must press on when things turn out as we expect them to. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).

The word translated mark, skopos means to watch as in a sentry or scout (4649). After David saved the inhabitants of Keilah,, he kept seeking the LORD for guidance because he “knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him” (1 Samuel 23:9). It was revealed to David that Saul was on his way to Keilah and the People of Keilah would deliver him into the hand of Saul, so David and his men fled from the city and once again escaped Saul’s army.