When troubles and threats come, I believe that we are quickly reminded of who our ‘god’ is. Some will turn to alcohol, some to drugs or binge eating while becoming very, very angry. While off trying to save the world, David returned home only to find that his town had been burned and everyone left behind by he and his men were captured. David ran to the One who he always depended on for every decision in life, the Almighty God. For God had never let David down before. As you meditate on the Word of God today, think about who you tend to turn to in desperation and times of critical need.
DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-11-10
WRITTEN AT: Ormond Beach, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: 1 Samuel 30:6-8
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)
BIBLE TEXT: 6 David was desperate. His soldiers were so upset over what had happened to their sons and daughters that they were thinking about stoning David to death. But he felt the Lord God giving him strength, 7 and he said to the priest, “Abiathar, let’s ask God what to do.”Abiathar brought everything he needed to get answers from God, and he went over to David. 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I go after the people who raided our town? Can I catch up with them?” “Go after them,” the Lord answered. “You will catch up with them, and you will rescue your families.”
APPLICATION: In times of desperation, I believe that we tend to respond in ways that our audience at the time expects. If we are around church, we may implore the prayers of our pastor or perhaps an elder of the church, for we tend to feel like they have an intimate connection with God. Often at work we will huddle in the corner with close associates who may have gone through a similar challenge as you are facing. They may offer to take you out for a drink, or if they know the Lord, they may agree to remember you in prayer. If around family or very close friends, I believe that battle quickly becomes personal and vendettas are immediately engineered for you to take revenge. If you are alone, and if you have, or ever had, a relationship with God, then I believe you may look up and ask God for help. Now let’s look at David’s reaction: Perhaps you are similar to me in that while we are away from home, we tend to think of what we will say to our loved ones when we return, and how we will hug them tight and just love on them for a very long time. But, upon returning to their hometown, David and his men found that their town had been burned and that their wives and children had been taken from them. Notice that no one was exempt, for David lost both of his wives also. His men were expectedly upset and in their hurt and anger for revenge and resolution, they started planning to turn to David for revenge. They were planning to stone him. But here is our lesson from this unfortunate incident: Because of David’s intimate relationship with God, and based on his recurring and repeated answers from God in past circumstances, David knew that there was only one to turn to in this desperate and critical time. Where and who do you tend to turn to my friend? Notice how clearly and confidently God gave instructions to David? Notice how God didn’t mislead David or show any doubt about the necessary actions, nor the expected results? Notice how David never asked for revenge or payback, nor for any personal favors because his wives were captured? David wanted only God’s perfect plan to be fulfilled and for the benefit of all who were hurting. He could have asked God to help him escape from his angry men for his personal safety, but that was never a consideration. Let me recommend to all who will read or listen to this devotional: please click on the Scripture reference above and read this short chapter. I was totally amazed at how David not only sought God in the heat of his desperation, but also how he maintained such a calm and giving spirit, even after everything had been taken away from him personally. Let’s try not to ‘lose it’ when we feel like the world is against us, instead look with humble hearts to the God who can do ALL things, and praise Him for all that He blesses us with!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Even when it seems like the world is against us, God is always for us, and nothing catches Him by surprise. Make Him your primary ‘go-to’ for all of life’s worries and concerns!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Jesus my Lord, thank You for the reassurance given to us through your servant David. I am confident that what You did for David, You can and will do the same for those of us who depend on You as our primary ‘go-to’ for every concern of this life. Some days it seems like we have way too many worries to bother You with, but I believe You were sincere when You told us to bring all of our cares to You – the only One who truly cares about us and can do anything at all about our concerns. Many days life seems overwhelming for us, but praise God I know that this is just a very small part of the puzzle You have permitted us to encounter, and to generate growth, in our walk with You. Lord, many are watching us like we watched what David did. May others see the hand of God in everything we do or say, so they may be drawn to You. AMEN!