Watch youR back

​Always be ready for a fight. Don’t pick one, but don’t be so surprised that you lose one if you aren’t paying attention.  Keeping from losing the battles requires preparation and a few rules of advice.

Never turn your back – Have you ever experienced a dog that wants to bite you? The last thing you want to do is turn your back. As soon as you do, you will be bit. The old saying if you don’t have a seat at the table you are going to be on the menu rings so true. Getting in a place where the devil can’t get the upper hand requires Dog that wants to take you.

Proceed with caution – As you proceed, it’s like walking in a cow corral, it keeps you on your toes. This doesn’t mean to be paranoid. Instead the concept is to be aware of your surroundings and constantly observant. Don’t leave an open door for the devil to steal from you or rip you off blind. As soon as that happens, he calls all his friends and you find yourself in the midst of a major battle you don’t want to endure.

You overcome it - Walk in a meek, humble manner with calm assurance. We can be confident, but not prideful. Our manner should be like a gentle sentence or suggestion. You will get through if you can simply keep your head on your shoulders.

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.”
Proverbs 22:3 NKJV

Saul was after David in multiple ways. There are several account of Saul attempting to kill David. Of these, 12 stick out in my mind.
1 Samuel 18 & 19

David was the commander of 1000 in the army. Saul offers a reward if he fights more. Then Michael is offered in exchange for 100 Philistines. Next Saul orders Johnathan to kill David. This isn’t enough, so Saul personally throws a spear at David. 

“So Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan, and Saul swore, “ As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. So Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as in times past. And there was war again; and David went out and fought with the Philistines, and struck them with a mighty blow, and they fled from him. Now the distressing spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing music with his hand. (Trust came for a period) Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul’s presence; and he drove the spear into the wall. So David fled and escaped that night.”
I Samuel 19:6-10 NKJV
Saul still isn’t winning so he sends three groups of men to David’s house which doesn’t work. Then Saul goes himself. Saul’s level of pride is so great, and insecurity drives him further to chase David down. He even tries to kill his own son for protecting David. 

 “And when the messengers had come in, there was the image in the bed, with a cover of goats’ hair for his head. Then Saul said to Michal, “Why have you deceived me like this, and sent my enemy away, so that he has escaped?” And Michal answered Saul, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you?’ ””
I Samuel 19:16-17 NKJV

Michal and David were cautious and therefore, David was able to evade Saul successfully. Michal made the right excuses and continued to help protect her husband in spite of this being her father.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

In the end, David prevailed. He had to routinely be cautious. By keeping his guard up while living his everyday life he was able to pursue just what God had for him as well as being ready for the fight. God used these times to grow him. To increase his wisdom and to help him establish a large following. This was how he ultimately became king. The fight God allowed him to endure wasn’t for him to live a paranoid life. It was so his life would fulfill a greater purpose he would never completely understand.

Three major points:
1. Never turn your back - . 
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44 NKJV
2. Proceed with caution 
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 NKJV
3.  You overcome it 
“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.”
Psalms 20:4 NKJV

Be careful but don’t be afraid.
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Walk forward with purpose direction and courage in your step.