Escape to God | Pastor James Schwartz Jr | March 1, 2026 When life becomes overwhelming, your safest and wisest response is not to run from God but to run to God. While you’re trying to figure out what to do, God has already worked it out, and has a plan in store to bring you through. He’s just waiting for you to turn to him.
In 2 Samuel 18 – 20, David is in a worsening and dangerous situation as Saul’s hostility intensifies. Instead of taking matters into his own hands, David puts his trust in God. In response, God uses Jonathan as a divinely appointed instrument of protection. Through their covenant and Jonathan’s warning, God provides David a safe way of escape.
Remember, when circumstances escalate beyond your control, your safety is not found in retaliation or panic—it is found in trusting God. Sometimes God does not remove the danger immediately, but He provides people, guidance, and strategic exits to preserve your destiny. Like David, you must trust that God sees the threat and is already arranging your protection.
Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to lay aside every weight and run your race with endurance. Escaping to God may require leaving comfort, relationships, or familiar places so you can move freely into what He has prepared.
Stop running from your problems and start running TO God. Escape to God, bring Him your stress, your pain, and your uncertainty. Trust the people and provisions He sends for your safety. Release what He tells you to leave behind, and run your race with endurance—knowing that when you escape to God, He will always make a way for you.
Date: Sunday March 1, 2026 (Communion Sunday)
Sermon Title: Escape to God
Speaker: Pastor James Schwartz Jr
Scripture Reference:
Background Reading: The Story of David - 1 Samuel 17 - 20
1 Samuel 20:35-42
35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Psalms 121:1-2
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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St. James Pentecostal Church
The Powerhouse Center
630 Auburn Ave, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Pastor James A. Schwartz JR
First Lady Evangelist Antoinette Schwartz
We are a Pentecostal Church located in Swedesboro, NJ. Founded in 1962, we are dedicated to creating community, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and saving souls! Our doors are open to every soul seeking to welcome Jesus Christ into their hearts. We hope you were encouraged by the teaching you heard, and we invite you to open up your hearts and allow his grace to penetrate into your soul and being.
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