1st Samuel 30:1-6

David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.

When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 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.


Am sure we have all come to such a point at some point in our lives.How often our short days are full of storms, battles and problems sometimes way beyond our strength. Oh how they appear when least expected and how much pain they bring.
David had just come from battle. He and his army had fought well, each man looking forward to come home to the warmth of a loving wife, healthy children-indeed a well tended home. How relaxing to have a warm bath, some good food,a loving heart and a comforting shoulder to lean on......THEN, you come face to face with destruction, total ruin and no one to offer any explanation!!
How easy it is for us to react the same way the men reacted. We mourn and murmur. We play the blame game and threaten. Like Peter we denounce the truth we once believed in and run back to our old lifestyles. We device ways and means to end the pain, many of which lead to destruction.
Isn't it funny how quickly we seek counsel from friends and relatives when faced with problems? How we look for the easiest way out no matter what?
David's two wive's had been taken away as well. He too was in as much pain and distress but his response to the problem compeled THE LORD OF HOSTS to act on his behalf. His was not a question of what God could do for them-he knew full well in whom he had trusted. Look at this: 7Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?"
"Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." Friends, God has the power to get you out of your situation for His glory. It is not a question, the question is how trusting and willing are we to enquire of His will, and run with the vision?
Further into the chapter David and his men meet a starving Egyptian man (Now remember the relationship between the Israelites and Egyptians) on their way. Abandoned and ill, David attended to him and in return he led the troop to where the raiders were!!
Lesson 1-God can use anyone/thing at His disposal for His glory. That enemy in your life, that person/thing (unless its sin) you want to walk away from......tally abit longer just to listen to what God has to say about it. Do not be suprised if it was turned around for your good.
Lesson 2-God honours His word...He says give and it shall come back to you, good measure ,pressed down shaken together and running over!! How often we choose who to give to (it's wise to plant on a fertile ground), but where the Lord leads....give and watch Him stand in for you!!
Lesson 3-Do not be weary of doing good. To all humanity, display the love of God. Think always how Jesus would respond to issues and apply that. Test this and see how much joy and satisfaction it brings.

Trusting means releasing all to a higher Authority, believing your needs will be taken care of. Trusting entails patience/waiting. The waiting process is the most trying of all. It drains of all the reserved energy, it leaves room to re-evalute and think over things. It is indeed trying but hold on. He who made the promise is well able to carry you through. When He finally leads you there, you will borrow baskets from neighbours to hold your blessings. Though it tallys, it will surely come to pass!!

John 14:1a-DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED!