A Mountain Between

Saul went along one side of the mountain and David and his men went along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away from Saul, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. Then a messenger came to Saul saying, "Come quickly, because the Philistines have raided the land!" So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation. From there David went up and stayed in the strongholds of En-gedi.

1 Samuel 23:26–29 (HCSB)

There was more than a mountain of rock that separated Saul and David. There was a mountain of jealousy, suspicion, resentment and ill will.

Sin separates man from God. Sin is not only a mountain between man and God, it is a mountain between man and his fellow man and between man and himself. Sin separates man God, man from his fellow man, and man from himself.

Sin always brings disintegration. If not for sin man would be a fully integrated personality. He would be synchronized with God, himself and his fellow man. But sin is a monkey wrench in the plan.

David was only delivered from Saul by a divine miracle. Had those Philistines not shown up David and his men would have been destroyed. Saul was gaining on David. He had David out-manned and out-gunned. Then God showed up. He sent those Philistines to distract Saul.

Like David, the only thing that can deliver us from being overtaken and destroyed by our sin is a miracle. That miracle was the cross. The cross of Jesus separates us from judgment.