Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 29
One unlikely, but effective, strategy David used when running from Saul was to live in a Philistine city. David fled to Gath and lived there, serving the king of Gath, Achish, for 16 months (1 Sam 27:6). He even fought battles for Achish (1 Sam 27:8-12) against the Amalekites.
When it came time to fight the Israelites, the Philistine commanders were suspicious of David’s loyalties (1 Sam 29:4,5). David was not allowed to go to battle against Israel, but before sending him back to Gath, Achish defended David in glowing terms - "I have found no fault in him to this day" (1 Sam 29:3) … "you have been honest … I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day" (1 Sam 29:6) … " I know you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God" (1 Sam 29:9). These are extraordinary declarations from a sworn enemy of Israel. Gath was the city that Goliath was from (1 Sam 17:4).
We are all called on to conduct ourselves with such sterling character that even our enemies, in honesty, must admit our integrity. The reason this is so important is not our own popularity, but the honor of our God. "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16).
The way we progress in righteousness is to delight ourselves in God, looking into His perfect righteousness. "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18). To become more righteous is the result of the merciful discipline of our heavenly Father. "For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb 12:11).
