Engedi, which belonged to the tribe of Judah, was a literal oasis in the desert near the western shore of the Dead Sea. Imagine traveling through this dry, lifeless land with undrinkable water of the Dead Sea. Then you come upon Engedi. This place could literally save your life. It has food, water, shelter. David and his men hid from Saul in this very spot in the caves. This was a place of refuge for David and his men. 1 Samuel 23:29 KJV And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
What an amazing place. Today, though, Engedi is no longer a lifesaving refuge, but a popular tourist attraction. A tourist attraction, a place of interest, a place to visit with your friends and family and take pictures!
I would hope that the Church never becomes a tourist attraction. The Church, a place of refuge from the dry desert land, a place of rest that could literally save you by introducing you to Jesus. I pray that this oasis never becomes a tourist attraction. May it never be a place we go just to be entertained or visit with our friends. May we never forget that this was the place that we found shelter from our storms. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalm 91:2 KJV).
This is the place that we found the well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14 KJV). May we never forget the lives that have been rescued from the enemy by encountering Jesus here. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me (Psalm 18:17 KJV).
Just as God used Engedi as a conduit of saving and a place of refuge, for David and his men. He uses the Church today as a conduit of salvation and a place of refuge. Let us remember this and purpose in our hearts to enter the sanctuary of God in search of Him; the life saving Savior.
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah in Engedi.
Psalm 63:1-2 KJV 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
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