God will provide a refuge

If the Christian chooses to pursue the truth and goodness of Jesus Christ, he enters into battle with unseen forces.

He begins to make headway when he recognizes and accepts his weaknesses and his inability to fight alone. He perseveres, allowing God to fight with him and in him, and God becomes a refuge in spiritual combat.

Just as young David’s best friend Jonathan warned him about his father’s (who was King Saul) murderous intentions for David (1 Sam 19:2), God provides a way for us through seemingly impossible circumstances.

When David was exhausted from being on the run from Saul, God provided a safe haven in a cave (1 Sam 24:4). It was in that place of refuge David showed mercy to Saul who had unwittingly entered the cave David inhabited.

When the world seems to swallow us up, Lent provides a “safe haven” for the Christian–distancing him from the endless work and distractions that bind him to the world.

It provides focus on God’s provision for him, Who wants all to turn to Him in trust for spiritual and mental rest.

Prayer is the spark

During Lent, prayer is the spark that ignites the desire to fast from excess in the Christian’s life, which should fan into flame the virtue of charity, stirring him to serve others in an unselfish way with no expected reciprocation.

A prophet’s reward (Matt 10:41)

David was anointed king of Israel because, though he was tried by difficult circumstances, he was not found wanting: his faithfulness to God remained steadfast.

Though David eventually gravely offended God by his sin, his deep contrition and love for God brought to completion what God intended for him and his kingship–the generational foundation for the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

It is the same with Christians today. God will bring to completion what He started, if only we behave like David and put our trust in Him in all circumstances.

Like David, He calls us to have courage under persecution for our faithfulness to the truth.

Like David, He wants us to “delight in the law of the Lord” and “ponder His law day and night” (Ps 1:2).

Like David, He exhorts us to cry to the Lord when we are afflicted, begging Him to have pity instead of wallowing in our own self-pity.

And, grasping us by the hand, He will act.

“I have grasped you by the hand” (Isa 42:6).

Sources: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/19, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/24, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/1 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42