1 Samuel 30:6

New International Version (NIV)

But David found strength in the Lord his God.

For Meditation

 One situation in which most of us fail is when we’re overwhelmed by vicious attacks and threats in life. One person’s assault could be burdensome enough, but a whole army of six hundred angry soldiers is ominously overwhelming. But that was David’s situation with his men at Ziklag after the Amalekite raid (1 Sam. 30:1-6). The soldiers blamed David for their loss and threatened to stone him (6). His own grief was inconsequential to the men. They just saw their loss and smelled blood. How true it is for human nature. Somebody must always take the blame.

Reason is usually pushed aside when we hurt and agonize over a tragedy, especially when it involves a loved one.

Naturally, David was distressed like all of us would. However, he did not go the natural way. He took the higher road to divine solution. Out text says that “David found strength in God” (6). The King James Version renders it this way: “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”  That is the stress killer for every child of God. It is the godly action that dissolves every threat and focuses the mind for divine resolution.

Our strength against our vicious attackers is only in Jesus. It is only in Him that we find true encouragement. The only way we can recover what the enemy has stolen from us is to turn to Jesus our Lord, who is our victory. He is the armor of God for our battles (Eph. 6:10-18). Unfortunately, the natural sense always takes us tangentially away from Him. It rather counsels a forceful pushback.

“Retaliate! They are not the only ones who have lost their loved ones, David. So how could they blame you?”

I thank God that David knew better. I am so encouraged that he saw God first in every situation – well, except the famous Bathsheba disaster we all know; but who is perfect? I am counseled to turn to Jesus when the storms of life threaten to sweep me under, and my Jesus is relaxing in the stern (Mk. 4:37-38). That’s where my faith belongs; where the voice that calms the storm comes from.

1. Has hell risen against you?
2. Are you overwhelmed by its dark forces everywhere?
3. Are you tempted to fight back with all you have in “your power?”
4. Are you sure you can overcome hell’s rage without Jesus (Eph. 6:10-18)?
5. Who is the Captain of your life and Commander of the army you’re enlisted in?

I pray you don’t go to battle without Jesus, the “Commander of the army of the LORD,” who is always ready to lead you in the battles of your life (Joshua 5:14).

So: May you surrender your ego to Christ when attacked; and may your attackers be shamed as Jesus leads you to reclaim all that the enemy has stolen from you (1 Sam. 30:18-20).

Remember the sling and the stone that slew Goliath and be encouraged.

Shalom