1 Samuel 30:3-6
So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
This is such a good story with so many learning points. Unless you have been through something similar you can have no idea of the depth of David’s emotions, as well as his men. These emotions come at the worse of life, your child drowns or gets hit by a car, your spouse serves you divorce papers, your boss comes in and says thank you but you are no longer needed. The doctor comes in and says you have two months to live, or your husband or child. Your spouse or adult child is killed in battle or captured and becomes a prisoner of war. These events are real and they happen and they represent the ugly side of life.
My wife recently went to the hospital with scepsis ammonia and stayed for 2 1/2 days until she was released to go home. Which I learned could kill you. We had no idea of how serious it was, we both just thought that she just had a bad case of the flu. However in those few days a man and a child died from their sickness. And as awful as that is, we can make it worse by how we react. We can chose to blame God and or hate God, as my dad did when my brother drown, or we can turn to God as David did. How we react to grief, to paralyzing fear, to tragedy or the like will determine the way forward. Our reaction and or response sets the stage for whether these events will take us out or bring us into deeper faith with God. David chose wisely, he chose God.
Lets see if we can learn from David. What does David mean that he strengthened himself in the Lord? This to me is David’s turning point. Imagine coming home and seeing fire trucks around your home but in essence they were just keeping the fire from spreading, your house was but ashes and rumble. Adding to that no one knows the whereabouts of your family, did they escape, are they out on an errand and to make matters even worse your spouses cell phone is dead. Is it simply dead, or does it not exist? Imagine the rush of distressing thoughts, the overwhelming sense of fear and panic, it’s even hard to breathe. Need to think, control my thoughts, what’s my next step? Will you in this moment give into fear and grief and be angry at God, or will you kneel down, quiet your spirit and pray?
All these thoughts I’m sure went through David’s mind, yet after a long cry he took control of his emotions, and from the deepest part of his being emerged one dominant and overruling emotion, that God was faithful and trustworthy therefore his next step was to seek Him. With God, he could turn this mess around. Would I do that, would you respond as such, and remember David was young, somewhere between 21 yrs. to 23 yrs. old.
Therefore to “strengthen yourself” in the Lord is to come to a central, determined decision that rules over all other emotions, shutting the door on thoughts of overwhelming fear, doubt and blame. These emotions, especially in times as these are of no value. They are just like Job’s comforters. Who instead of trying to comfort and encourage Job tried to convince him that he was at fault for his dilemma. That’s the last thing anyone needs.
I have come to learn that suffering is a masterful tool in the hand of God. Though not a popular one, in His hands it purges the soul from the love of money, the love of self, the love for the things of this world and the love of false idols that prior to suffering we had have. I liken suffering to drowning. In those moments money, fame, a big house, ego and the like, matter not. Only that which will save my life has all my attention. Hopefully it is the Lord, however in these moments our true God (or god)is revealed and we learn very quickly His (or its) ability to save. As believers what is needed is a single focus on Him, who alone can work good from my mess. I never understood the benefit of suffering in my early years, but as I have matured and experienced several very painful events in my life the value of suffering has become most evident – nothing matters but Christ himself. And if suffering has its full work, then Christ is all that matters from henceforth. It becomes very hard to put anything else in His place.
Knowing Him intimately becomes our goal, not wealth, position or fame etc. In relationship with Him is where our security comes from. During my hardships nothing else gave me cause to get out of bed, or brought me the comfort and hope that things would get better. I have seen the same benefit in others, those who are undergoing great trial but continue to press into the Lord. Therefore suffering becomes a welcomed friend as God uses the pain to build a larger place for Himself in our hearts. A painful friend, it hurts, sometimes beyond belief, but as God has His way from it, hope, courage, and most importantly a faith that cannot be shaken arises. Jesus calls this tried faith and hence those that possess it as precious.
Peter 1:7: “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
However if we get mad at God, a how dare He attitude or question Him by saying if He is truly God I should not be suffering, then this immaturity blocks the benefit that suffering can bring and we drag everyone who interacts with us through the mud of self pity. Unfortunately this
makes for a very long and joyless season in the chapter of one’s life.
God’s end goal via trials is no better said than these verses,
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Do not remember the former things,Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert.
Wilderness and desert represent our souls. In respect to righteousnesss,
we have nothing but barrenness to offer, and our good deeds is a far cry from righteousness. We give to Him the barrenness of our souls and through trials and in relationship with Him He seeks to bring life to our soul. Rivers of righteousness and roads in the desert for us and others to drink from and travel on and be refreshed and find direction for our life.
Next question, where did such a young man find the where withal too stand so tall? We know very little about David’s early life, but there is an insightful verse in Psalms 86:15 – 17
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16Turn to me and have mercy on me;show your strength in behalf of your servant;save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.”
Can a mother make a King? Can a father or grandparents make kings and queens, you bet. It takes time and commitment, but more than that it takes an exemplary life. A life that shows forth the life of Faith. Kings and Queens, princes and princesses that live as such rule over all peasant and beggarly emotions and see that their thoughts and words honor our Heavenly Father. A “ruler” by definition lives a new way, exalting faith and trust in the Lord and leads by example living a life that fosters peace, hope and love, characteristics of our Heavenly Father.
.
***So now we understand that David didn’t just become a valiant warrior, the foundation for that was being formed in him from a child. We also know that Jesse, David’s father, was also a Godly man. So how do we do this, raise Godly children or instruct someone in a life of godliness?
Isaiah 28:10
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,Here a little, there a little.”
For us to be able to teach like this, “precept upon precept” it must be who we are. We WILL teach and we WILL be an influence on others, the question is what kind of influence will we be? How will we affect our kids, our grandkids, our co workers? To fulfill these instruction of precept upon precept it must come from the natural outflow of who we are. Our speech and our actions are a reflection of the man or woman on the inside. They are a constant dialogue, a very natural revealing of the truth that we live by. A pastor once said we should always be a witness of Christ, and at times you use words. In other words are daily actions become our “words” and our verbal communication either support or contradict our actions. So we are being a witness, do we know to what?
If it’s materialism that we value then coveting things will be what we will communicate. Even if we don’t say a word, our actions and decisions frame out our values. If we derive our self esteem from work, or by climbing the cooperate ladder the question is, at whose expense? Is it at the expense of the family? If so then the family will learn that dad, and or mom values work first and the family second. If it is a relationship with Christ that we value first and foremost then the family and co workers will know that though work is important you do not live for work, you work to live and the family is the reason for why you work. There’s a huge difference when you are on the receiving end of Godly based priorities. And this kind of example/teaching goes deep into the heart of a child, for it is being taught day by day, word by word, action upon action as his or her identity is being formed.
Godly convictions formed as such becomes the foundation for the child’s life and their self esteem. It becomes the light by which they navigate life and the many choices that life will present. It gives them guidance and direction and builds fortitude and fortitude (the ability to stand by your convictions) is like steel to the soul, and we sorely need men and women, children and young adults alike to have and live in such a way; that the virtues of Christ shine forth. The old adage, “more is caught than taught” is so true. Therefore raising children with Godly convictions and being an example as such comes back to the daily convictions that we live by.
Continuing with David,… desperate times call for decisive action.
1 Samuel 30:6
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him,”
1 Samuel 30:7-8
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”
And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all (such encouraging words from the Lord gave David the confidence to get going and the ability to motivate the men to pursue the invaders. In our lives the voice of the Lord, be it The Word of God, a message from the pulprit, a friends counsel, or the Lord directly is a life changer).
The Ephod was normally worn only by the High Priest. It is somewhat related to a vest except it is open down the sides and made of linen.There are other references to David wearing the Ephod. However it was not customary for anyone but the High Priest to wear it. Here we see David taking quick action. The situation was desperate and he needed to know what to. It’s interesting he didn’t go through Abiathar the priest for God’s guidance, he went directly to The Lord himself. Some might consider that David is overstepping his reach and according to the law he may have been, however God did not only not say anything but He answered his prayer. Sometimes situations in life get messy and the proper protocol cannot be followed. I am so glad that God sees the heart that directs the action and not just the action. This response from David also shows the relationship David had with the Lord. David was intimate with God, he knew God and was confident in seeking Him as such.
Back in the seventies we had the Jesus movement and I was 14years old and right in the middle of it. The Jesus movement started at the church we were attending with the pastor being the principal guidance of it. Hippies would come into our church with their long hair, beards, dregs, barefoot and the women the same. As a group they were not showered and sat on the carpet – right in front which no one had done before. They were a shock to the conservative members of this foursquare church. I’m sure pastor Chuck took some heat for this and lost some tithing members. However he wasn’t and couldn’t compromise what he had come to believe, that God loved these young people who society viewed as outcast and druggies.
The church continued to grow under the teaching of God’s Word which pastor Chuck systemically followed 3x’s a week. Within a couple years the hippies were still coming, but now they were clean and in casual, but nice dress. As the Word of God changed and bought respect and dignity to their soul, the outward followed. Many became pastors, some to this day continue to teach sizable congregations. Pastor Greg Lori and Raul Ruiz in Southern Cal. being a few that I can recall. These lost souls became the foundation of the Jesus movement as David’s men, renegades and outcast, became the foundation of David’s army, David’s mighty men. God’s ability to change a soul is limitless, the only limitation is what the soul allows God to be; an acquaintance, a good friend or Savior and Lord. The outcome is vastly different.
Because of David’s relationship with the Lord he was able to rally the men and get them moving forward; out of their personal tragedy into a single goal they could give their life for, getting their families back. Again David was only 22 or 23 years of age.
***1 Samuel 30:10-12 ( God is guiding)
But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.
Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights.
God is guiding David. It’s wilderness, wide open space, the Amalekites could have gone anywhere, north, south, east or west. How was David to know?
1 Samuel 30:13
Then David said to him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?”
And he said, “I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick.
1 Samuel 30:14-17
We made an invasion of the southern area of the Cherethites, in the territory which belongs to Judah, and of the southern area of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.”
And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop?”
Were God directs, God provides and we see this clearly here. There is nothing coincidental about David and his men coming upon this servant. God guides so seamlessly that it almost seems that God is not involved at all, it just happens. But when it just happens that’s God’s signature, that He’s present. The Lord is the match maker of so called circumstances. Train your soul to see His hand. I’ve prayed asking Him to make my soul sensitive to His presence, and it’s a great prayer. It’s reminds me of John’s comment. After Jesus was crucified the disciples went back to fishing until Jesus appeared..
John 21:6 &7
And He said to them (Jesus) , “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
Therefore that disciple (John) whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea ( Jesus loved them all but he had the most intimate relationship with John. We should all desire to be like John).
I believe David was developing this kind of intimacy and it would become invaluable to David.
“So he said ( the servant), “Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop.” And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. Then David attacked them (with only 400 men) from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.”
God kept His Word to David. Though he and his 400 hundred men had to fight like heck, they won against tremendous odds. It was definitely God.
Allowing God to guide you often means you are over your head and your in too deep, and there’s no return. God loves this, at times He engineers these situations so we stop relying on ourselves and fully and completely have to trust Him. I’ve become very use to being stressed, it’s actually a weird feeling when I’m not. My constant answer to this is to keep pressing into The Lord, like Jacob did with the angel. He wrestled all night long and in the morning when the angel wanted to leave, Jacob clinged to the angel and would not let him go until the angel blessed him. He left that wrestling match defeated in one sense because he could no longer walk without limping, the angel had crippled him, but he won in another sense because he finally knew who he was. The angel changed his name from Jacob ( heel catcher or conniver) to Israel ( called by God). Through his struggle he gained the biggest victory he could have ever received. His new identity was priceless, he finally knew who he was and this is absolutely true with us as well. Once in his ho eland his next action was it built an altar to God to worship Him. Only a changed man or woman would do this. When we come to the end of ourselves that’s where we find God, and it’s there we come to understand that being His child by Grace is the absolute best place to be. Amen?
Father God,
Thank you for this devotional, though lengthy, it is the absolute truth of how we are wired and the freedom that awaits us if we commit to you our training. Thank you for David’s life. Help us to daily press into You. Become our joy and our life, and let your presence overshadow us and bring clarity, peace and assurance to all our circumstances. Thank you and Amen.
Go in His Grace – Arthur
Arthur Navarrette