Posts in category: Top Stories

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

1 Samuel 23:26-29; Psalm 91:1-2, 4; Matthew 16:18; Revelation 5:5; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11-12; Matthew 5:14-16

INTRODUCTION

In a world where young people face relentless pressures and temptations, the story of David’s escape from King Saul offers a powerful metaphor for finding refuge and strength. In 1 Samuel 23:26-29, David, the anointed future king of Israel, flees from Saul and finds safety at what becomes known as the Rock of Escape. This rock symbolizes Jesus Christ, our ultimate refuge and savior. As young people navigate the complexities of modern life, turning to Jesus as their Rock can provide the safety and strength needed to fulfill their God-given purpose and transform their world.

THE ANOINTED AND THE PURSUED

David, though chosen by God to be the future king, was pursued relentlessly by King Saul, who recognized David’s potential and sought to eliminate him. Similarly, young people today, anointed with unique talents and a bright future, often face intense opposition from the enemy, who aims to derail their destiny. Just as Saul pursued David with soldiers and weapons, the devil uses temptations such as sexual immorality, laziness, addictions, and despair to hinder spiritual growth and potential.

MODERN-DAY PURSUIT

The devil’s tactics are as varied and cunning today as they were in David’s time. Temptations are designed to exploit our vulnerabilities and lead us astray:

• Sexual Immorality: Promiscuity and pornography corrupt hearts and minds, leading many away from their intended path.
• Laziness: Procrastination and a lack of discipline prevent young people from achieving their full potential.
• Addictions: Substance abuse, gambling, and other addictions ensnare and ruin lives.
• Despair and Hopelessness: Mental health struggles can lead to feelings of worthlessness and despair, preventing individuals from realizing their potential.

Just as David found himself surrounded and desperate, young people today may feel trapped by these powerful forces. The key to escape lies in the same source David relied on: the Rock of Escape.

RUNNING TO THE ROCK

David’s escape was not just a physical act but a spiritual one. By seeking refuge at the Rock of Escape, David was trusting in God’s deliverance. For us, Jesus is our Rock. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” When we run to Jesus, we find protection, strength, and guidance.

Psalm 91 beautifully encapsulates this promise: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). This psalm assures us that those who take refuge in God are safe from harm. However, it’s crucial not just to run to Jesus but to stay in His presence, for it is there that we find continual safety and fulfillment of our purpose.

THE LION OF JUDAH: OUR PROTECTOR

Jesus, the Rock of Escape, is also the Lion of Judah. Lions are known for their power and majesty, traits that invoke fear and respect. In Revelation 5:5, Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who has triumphed. This imagery reminds us of His might and sovereignty.

In the wild, lions are feared, but when they are caged in a zoo, their power seems diminished, and they no longer inspire the same fear. This can serve as a metaphor for how we sometimes perceive Jesus. When we keep Him “caged” in our lives—acknowledging Him but not truly living in His power—we fail to experience the full extent of His protection and guidance. But when we recognize and embrace His true nature, we understand that He is the one who can protect us from all harm.

Similarly, when young people find themselves caged by sexual immorality, laziness, and other destructive behaviors, like a caged lion, the devil will not fear us. However, when we are not caged but continue to roar like a hungry lion, full of zeal and righteousness, the devil will fear us. The Bible reminds us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” When we live in the fullness of Christ’s power, we can stand firm against the devil’s schemes.

STAYING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ROCK

The safety that David found at the Rock of Escape, and that we find in Jesus, is contingent upon our continuous dwelling in His presence. As Psalm 91 highlights, it is the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most High who will find refuge. We are safe as long as we remain in Jesus. This means a daily commitment to prayer, scripture reading, and living in obedience to His will.

Psalm 91:4 further assures us: “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” The imagery of God’s protection is vivid, conveying the warmth, safety, and security we find in Him. Just as a bird protects its young under its wings, God shields us from harm.

THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Maintaining our refuge in Jesus requires spiritual discipline. Ephesians 6:11-12 encourages us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” By cultivating a strong spiritual life through prayer, worship, and studying the Word, we equip ourselves to resist the devil’s attacks.

TRANSFORMING THE WORLD THROUGH JESUS

By finding safety in Jesus, young people are empowered to transform their world. When we dwell in His presence and live out our faith boldly, we become beacons of light in a dark world. Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Living in the power of Jesus means being proactive in our faith—standing against injustices, showing compassion, and spreading the Gospel. As we rely on the Rock of Escape, we not only find personal safety but also the strength to make a significant impact on those around us.

CONCLUSION

The story of David at the Rock of Escape is a powerful reminder of where our true refuge lies. In a world where the devil constantly seeks to destroy our future through various means, we must run to Jesus, the Rock of Escape. By staying in His presence, we find not only safety but also the strength and guidance to fulfill our God-given purpose.

As we navigate the challenges of life, let us remember that Jesus, the Lion of Judah, is our protector and savior. He has triumphed over all forces of evil, and in Him, we too can find victory. Let us stay close to the Rock, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, and live out the great future God has planned for us.

Written by Isaac Ansah

Quite often, in our social media-crazed world, being in the limelight and in people’s faces seems like the goal. Social media platforms are more about numbers than content. Success is measured by the number of friends, followers, retweets, etc. Everyone seems to be affected by the ‘fame thirst’ induced by new media. Thus, people do even the unimaginable just to get attention. They crave to have a famous face.

When Samuel was sent to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel, he had no idea who the chosen lad was. He arrived when all the older children of Jesse were at home. For whatever reason, the grown-ups were at home while the youngest shepherded their father’s flock. The older ones were ‘online’ to be seen and heard by the gathering. Samuel saw them, analyzed them, and was pleased with what he saw – they were the type who would be famous with the people. However, God had a different view of the situation. He was looking at the heart that was famous with Him, not the face that was famous with the people.

Divinely prompted, Samuel inquired about the one who was not with the crowd; the absent one, the one behind the scenes, the silent but efficient one. Jesse responded that the youngest son was tending the sheep (1 Sam. 16:11). Perhaps, motivated by the fact that he had met all the older ones at home, Samuel thought the youngest would not have gone far from home; he might just have turned the corner to feed the sheep with the grass that grew around the neighborhood. The old man thus remarked, ‘We will not sit until the lad comes’ (1 Sam. 16:11). However, the next verse is very instructive. When David arrived on the scene, God told Samuel to ‘arise, anoint him. This is the lad’ (1 Sam. 16:12).

HE LED TO STILL WATERS AND GREEN PASTURES

Something happened between ‘We will not sit until the lad comes’ and ‘Arise, anoint him. This is the lad.’ What happened is the revelation of David’s dedication to the task of shepherding his father’s flock. David was not at his father’s business haphazardly. He would not just feed anything to his father’s flock. He went looking for the best – the still waters and the greener pasture. The waters are still away from human activity. Where people are, the water is usually rough and polluted. Sheep fear the wobbling of water because they tend to think their moving reflection in it means they are drowning. They need it still to have the confidence to refresh themselves, and that is found far from people. The grass is green away from the crowd. The grass is green in secret places. David knew this and was not going to be seen driving the flock around the neighborhood only for people to see and commend him for being the most devoted of Jesse’s children at the expense of the nourishment of the flock. He ensured the sheep had enough to eat and rest in comfortable places – he made them lie down in plenty. Lions and bears are in the deep. For David to encounter them in his shepherding task shows the diligence he attached to tending the flock. He went to the deep, facing peril and risking his life to offer the best to the flock. We notice from Psalm 23 that David’s thought on shepherding is about leading and not driving. He knew where he was taking them, so he led. Far away from prying eyes, far away from destructive criticism and distracting praise, David was not a people-pleaser but a God-pleaser. He went about his father’s business with apt dedication. He had gone so far from home that Samuel had to relent on his word of not sitting down until David came. The wait was long.

A FAMOUS HEART BEGETS A FAMOUS WITNESS

Anyone famous with God has a heart that pleases God. Samuel was told that humans look at appearances – those who put up a show; the ‘Yɛ mayɛ hwɛ’ instead of ‘Nyamesompa’ people usually get the attention. Such people get what fame with the people produces – praise and recognition of men. But those with famous hearts find favor with God. People with famous hearts are identified and groomed in the secret place of God (Psalm 91). People who have set their hearts right with God do not struggle to attract His blessings upon whatever they do. They enjoy bliss with God, and God provides a famous witness (endorsement) for them when the right time comes. They do not have to put up a front to have a famous face. The young man who was away from the people’s faces was soon anointed before the people (1 Sam. 16:13), while those who spent all their time being famous with the people only witnessed the beginning of the fame that comes with dedication. When your heart is famous with God, it will be testified of you that ‘the Lord is with him’ (1 Sam. 16:18). The commendation of your competence will not only come from God but also from men. God will aid you to have favor with Him and humanity (Prov. 3:3–4, Luke 2:52).

FAMOUS HEARTS SUCCEED IN SECRET BEFORE THE SPECTACLE

People with a famous heart do not come to the limelight without trials and tests of their resolve. They are people who fight and win secret battles before they win the spectacular ones. Sometimes, what they achieve behind the scenes, away from public view, is far larger than what comes to light. They learn to depend on God and not the cheers of the crowd. When the time came for David to be fully revealed, he came in the simplicity of his secret victories (1 Sam. 17:33–36). People who rush into the limelight without the necessary secret place preparation will fall before their Goliaths. They will only seek vainglory when they should be getting well-groomed for the main task. While his brothers were at home, David was fighting lions and bears. When the time came for them to face Goliath, David’s brothers went into hiding because they had no secret place battles. They had spent so much time in the shallow places that they had no deep sense of coming face-to-face with giants. To get a famous face with the people begins with a famous heart with God and being dedicated to the Father’s business when no one is watching. It is not a show-off but a show of modesty. It is training to succeed in secret so that when it is time for the spectacular, you will be well prepared.

FAMOUS HEARTS TOUCH THE HEART OF GOD

Long before anyone heard of David, God had spoken through His servant that He would choose a man ‘after His own heart’ to replace Saul (1 Sam. 13:14). The chosen man after God’s heart was the one whose heart God had searched. The man who can cry out to have God create in him a clean heart (Ps. 51:10). God knew him and the dedication of his heart even before David knew what the future held for him. God’s heartbeat was in tandem with David’s. He was a man given to pleasing God rather than people, and David exhibited that many times (2 Sam. 6:20–22, 12:19–23). At the end of his eventful life, it was testified that he had shepherded the people of Israel with integrity of heart and skillful hands (Ps. 78:72). It was first with integrity of heart (a famous heart with God) before people saw his skills. David’s demonstration of integrity was not just about being upright but also accepting when he erred (2 Sam. 12:2, Ps. 51). David appreciated the importance of setting his heart right with God and serving Him even if people did not notice, rather than succeeding before the people without God’s endorsement. In everything we do, let us be about the Father’s business with a famous heart; to abide with Him rather than to do the bidding of the people against the will of the Father. If it is done for the Father (God), no matter how long it takes, you will be noticed and they will come looking for you (1 Sam. 16:1–5, 11) and wait until you come (1 Sam. 16:11–12).

WAIT FOR YOUR REVELATION

Indeed, the earnest expectation of creation eagerly awaits the revealing of those with famous hearts (Rom. 8:19). Wait and prepare for your revelation. It is not yet time. Do not rush when it is not yet time for you to be known by the people. If you rush it, you may get there empty (2 Sam. 18:22–30). Be a child of God and be about the Father’s business. Into the deep we must go rather than focusing on the shallow. In the shallow places, people see us, but in the deep we find God. When others idle at home, be found deep in the field. When others think you are just around the corner, prove to them you have labored far from your comfort zone. The anointing for the next level comes after time spent in the deep and a long wait (Luke 4:1, Matt. 3:1). Your time will come to have a famous face. In the meantime, work on having a famous heart with God by being about the Father’s business.

Written by Pastor George Osei-Asiedu

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

The world continues to grow in its sophistication day by day. Responsibilities at home, the workplace, and other side hustles have all toughened their competition for the attention of fathers. Regardless of these challenges, fathers are encouraged to avoid falling prey to role crisis, for it is written, “False balance is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 11:1). Therefore, it lays heavy on fathers to strike a balance in all spheres of their lives, including spiritual, physical, and emotional, so that families may not suffer. If any of the needs are met at the expense of others, as gangrene spreads, all become affected. This piece, therefore, seeks to highlight the father’s role in meeting these needs with more emphasis on the spiritual and moral development of the family.

As part of striking a balance, the father must ensure the physical and emotional needs of the family are met. It is the father’s responsibility to provide basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, security, and love, with support from his wife. The home should embody the phrase “home sweet home” for every family member. Amid the complexities of modern life affecting mental health, the home must be a haven. The home environment should foster love, peace, oneness, joy, and friendship, among others. The father must be present not only spiritually and morally but also emotionally and physically. The 21st-century father must cherish spending time with the family despite his busy schedule.

However, due to the high-rising cost of living across many countries, some fathers, in their quest to meet their families’ physical needs and ensure that their wives and children are physically comfortable, have unknowingly left home. Though the role of the mother in the home is crucial and cannot be overemphasized, the man remains the pillar of the family. The scriptures emphasize that the man is the head (Ephesians 5:23-28), which connotes leadership. This means that the father has to breed love, care, and provide for the family, as well as ensure that the home is a place where moral principles and the values of the kingdom of God thrive and become a lifestyle. Apostle Paul captured this well: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Also, posterity is counting on both fathers and mothers “to teach, rebuke [in love], correct, and train the next generation in righteousness with the word of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). In Judges 2:10, it was recorded that a generation arose who did not know the LORD nor the work which He did for Israel. This event alludes to a failed family system and leadership. As believers, if we neglect to spend time together as a family, nurture, and instruct our children in the ways of the Lord, they may be influenced negatively by the internet, social media, movies, books, and bad company. Providing the right information and guidance is crucial to preventing such negative influences.

The father is like the watchman of the family tower, tasked with guarding and protecting the family from predators, false teachings, and ungodly behaviors (Isaiah 21:6, 56:10, 62:6-7). As a watchman, the father cannot afford to be blind to the spiritual needs of the family. He must also be the pastor in the home, feeding the lambs and tending the sheep (John 21:15-17). Unfortunately, some fathers are physically present but spiritually and emotionally absent. Some fathers focus solely on meeting the physical needs of their families, such as providing money and paying bills, neglecting the family’s spiritual and moral growth. Our society reflects our homes; when the family’s spiritual and moral system breaks, it affects society. This is why moral decadence is infiltrating many sectors of the economy. Sodom and Gomorrah were rife with perversion, yet Lot’s family maintained its moral integrity, with his two daughters being virgins.

If the father leaves the door to his home open, the family becomes like a city without walls; the enemy invades it and plants evil seeds. Sometimes we hear phrases like “your mother didn’t train you well,” used by some fathers. The phrase reflects a misguided belief that the upbringing of children is solely the mother’s duty because the man is busy. Busy with leadership roles outside of home and fixing others while neglecting their families, leaving them open and vulnerable to the influence of the enemy. But scripturally, the man must provide leadership in the house with the collaborative effort of his wife, the ‘sofomaame’ of the family. Man is tripartite in this progression: “spirit, soul, and body” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). As a father, excelling in the provision of the physical and emotional needs of the family is good, but the spiritual precedes them, and it is the spiritual food that equips the family with the principles and values of the kingdom of God and unleashes them to possess every fiber of the being of society for Christ.

Why have you left home, daddy? No family morning devotion, no prayer meetings, no intercessory prayers, no discipline or leadership, and no time spent with the family. Your children are afraid to share their issues with you and prefer to talk to friends instead because daddy is never available. It is not about being so strict and yelling at the children; it is about planting the godly seed (the word of God) in them, preaching Christ, and setting godly examples for them. That is what can keep them from compromising or following the patterns of this world in your absence.

Daddy, you are doing well, but remember not to leave the gate to the family unguarded. Daddy, wake up! The wolves are after the sheep. Daddy, come back home; your absence has left a vacuum. The family misses the warmth of your love and spiritual and moral leadership.

Written by Elder Francis Gbologah (PENSA Ghana Counselling Committee Head)