David is a character from the Old Testament who serves both as a good and bad example. Yet he is described by God most notably as a man after My heart, who will do all My will [Acts 3:22 NASB].
We tend to remember Bathsheba and his conspiring to kill her husband. But there is a plethora of wonderful examples by this same man! God forgets the sin and commends the righteous behavior. Oh that we could do the same!
In I Samuel 30. We find David living among the Philistines. This is one of those times when he is not a particularly great example. He is living a life of deceit. He pretends to be loyal to a Philistine named Achish. He pushes this deceit so far that he is ready to go to war with the Philistines against Judah! However, the Philistine commanders refuse to allow him to go – they don’t trust him and think he’ll turn on them in battle!
David and his six hundred men return to their home in Ziklag only to find it burned to the ground by an Amalekite band of thieves. Their wives and children have all been abducted. David’s band of men are completely distressed! There is even talk of hanging David.
Then this: David strengthened himself with trust in his GOD.
What does this mean and how can we replicate it in our lives?
How does one strengthen him/herself with trust in his/her God?
I think it simply means TURN TO GOD! Instead of allowing despair to ruin us, we must simply learn to turn to the One who can change things and make a difference. The group ‘Third Day’ sings these words:
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
In a moment when every one of David's men were in turmoil and despair, he alone turned to God!
He asked for the priest and together they consulted God, who told them to go after the Amalekites. They pursued them for days and eventually caught up with them. After a day of battle, they defeated almost the whole Amalekite force (400 young men escaped on camels).
They regained all their children, wives and possessions! They returned home joyfully! David even returned some of the loot to the cities of Judah that had also been raided by the Amalekites.
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Do you keep a calm head when distressing times come?
Do you cry out to Jesus when all seems lost?
Is Jesus your first or last resource?
Do you lead others toward God or do you just add to the cacophony of complaining?
David was not supernatural! He was just a man; the runt of his family. He started out as a mere shepherd boy that tuned his harp and played it for the glory of the Lord.
It doesn’t matter where you came from, who you are, who your parents were, how you were raised, whether or not you’ve gone to church.
What matters is which way your heart is bent! Is it bent toward God?
Tie a string around your finger today to remind you – when things begin to crumble – cry out to Jesus! He knows the way back to peace and victory!
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