For May 20, 2026
Desert Survival by Greg Holmes, D.MIN – Director of Missions serving 17 churches
THE EN GEDI CANYON in Israel leads from the shore of the Dead Sea westward into a stark wilderness area. In one striking spot, it has natural springs that feed the waterfalls of an oasis, from which a stream winds to the sea, and has numerous natural caves nearby. It is here in this desert area that a young David hid in a cave (cf. 1 Sam. 24:3-7) from Saul and his murderous rage and his army. “Saul was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ So Saul took three thousand able young men to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.” (1 Sam. 24:2) It was a perilous time in the life of the future ruler of Israel, “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam. 13:14)