I can admit that I am preaching to the choir in this blog. Which means I am talking to myself.

 In Samuel chapter 30, “David arrived back to Ziglag the Amalekites had raided the Negev. They captured all the women and children and burned everything down while David and his men were away. The bible says, David and his men wailed, - wept until exhaustion. The men in the camp with David were talking among themselves bitter over the loss of their families.

Sadly, out of their frustration, they spoke of stoning David. The word says immediately, David strengthened (encouraged) himself with trust in his God. He prayed and asked God if he should go after the Amalekites, and if he would succeed. The Lord answered him, Go after them!! Yes, you’ll catch them! Yes, you’ll make the rescue!”

There is so much to gather from this passage that can really help us.

First, we notice while David and his men were off on a mission, they came back to chaos. Things were out of control. This could be your situation at times in your household, on your job, with your family, with your friends, even at your church, within your organization or club.  You leave to take care of something, check on someone, return home and things are out of whack. Or, you experience something tragic, life altering and you're uncertain how to overcome it.

Secondly, you react to the disarray just as David’s men looking for someone to blame. They were distracted by what had happened, however they needed to get back the main thing. Which is getting their families back and recovering the stuff stolen from them. The stuff the enemy tried to steal their peace, love, joy, and trust in each other. Leading to an inability in relating, and working with the people they loved and needed.

Thirdly, David didn’t have time to react to the situation. His family was taken also. He couldn’t get caught up in his emotions for too long. After the wailing and weeping, he encouraged himself, because he had hope. He sought God on what to do. He knew the one person who had the answer. He went straight to God and received his answer. When we’re uncertain about what needs to be done or the approach we need to take. Our focus should turn to God.

God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5)

David could’ve gotten stuck in the place God didn’t intend for him to stay.

He could’ve focused on the absolute wrong thing:

 *People and their emotions

*Losing his family

*Losing everything they had

*He probably felt the exact same way they did. Asking himself, why did I lead them somewhere else when our families needed us? Why didn’t we stay here to protect the land; our families; our stuff?

*He wasn’t exempt from what the Amalekites did…

*David immediately encouraged himself, he chose another lane not the lane or road of disappointment, doubt, sadness, bitterness, anger, things that would cloud his thinking, he chose life!!

“The thief comes not but to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you will have life and life more abundantly.

(John 10:10)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who ask receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be open.”  (Matthew 7:7-8)

David was given an option or several options:

1)    give in to the criticism.

2)    ignore it.

3)    seek guidance to complete the assignment.

See, we’re given these same options give in /quit and walk away or solve the issues with God’s guidance and get back to fulfilling your purpose.

Obviously, David had a personal relationship with God through their closeness, he knew that God was aware of what happened. In this moment, David didn’t lose heart, he immediately called on the Lord inquiring of him. Invariably, God answered right away ensuring him of his success in battle recovering all.

There will always be distractions. What you chose to do with the distraction makes the difference in the outcome.

“I the Lord will accomplish that which concerns you; my (unwavering) loving-kindness endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your own hands.”

(Psalm 138:8)

Be Blessed