October 30, 2013 Ask God

Read 1 Samuel 30

Ask God

6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

DAVID’S men talked of stoning him. Bitterness was engulfing their hearts because their wives, children and livestock had been taken by the Amalekites while they were away. When crisis comes to a community, often the leader is the first one to whom people point. I’m not sure how they thought killing David would help them, but surely they had to blame someone, didn’t they?  

     In the midst of this senseless rage and human tragedy, “David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?’” (1 Samuel 30:8a)  

     Yesterday I wrote of how God saved David in several ways when Achish, the Philistine ruler, sent David home from war with Israel. Here God uses the Amalekites’ evil to save David’s leadership and the families of his community. God answers David’s distress with a clear response from God, “Pursue them,” God answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” (1 Samuel 31:8b) Obediently, David responds. They defeat the Amalekites and rescue all families and livestock.

     Here again is a clear lesson on God’s sovereign power over all circumstances. As deadly as the scene looked for David, he turned the only direction he could to discover that God was guiding him to rescue him.

     It’s important to note that none of this was easy. David had to get up and regain control of his men. He had to go to fight a battle. He had to act on God’s Word.

A Moment’s Thought: Victory requires obedience.