Rely on God and be firm
Pastor Dr Ling, 20/12/2009
1Sa 30:1-10 Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire (2) and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. (3) And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. (4) Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. (5) David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. (6) And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. (7) And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. (8) And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?" He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue." (9) So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. (10) But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.
1Sa 30:17-25 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. (18) David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. (19) Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. (20) David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, "This is David's spoil." (21) Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. (22) Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart." (23) But David said, "You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. (24) Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike." (25) And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.
David did not complain about bad things, nor did he react
In v6, the people wanted to stone him. David did not complain about them. He did not react. His family was also taken captive. To react is to point out the mistakes of the other when your own is mentioned. This will cause arguments. Some people keep things inside and this allows the heart to be bitter. Either way, we need to ask God to help us remove such negative feelings. 大卫不埋怨、不抱怨、不反击。(让三分、忍三分、退三分 - 【宫心计】). Sometime we win an argument and lose relationship / trust / character / harmony.
Jesus asked us to love our enemies. Paul admonished the Corinthians for bringing their arguments to court. Let’s not lose our testimonies. Let Jesus win, that’s the most important.
Rely on God to solve practical problems
David strengthened himself by depending on God and he was able to solve problems. He wanted to pursue the enemies. However, he sought God’s will.
If we stare at the closed door then we cannot see the opened door behind us. ~ Helen Keller
The Panama Canal was constructed in the 19th century. There were many discouraging opinions. His assistant asked when he would respond to those comments. He said at the appropriate time. His assistant then asked again how he intended to respond. He said by finishing the canal.
Sometimes we talk too much and sometimes what we say is not constructive. Let’s do more and talk less.
Believe in God’s promises
David persevered because he trusted in God’s promise. God listens to our prayers despite our own lack of faith and faithfulness. We may have wandered away but as long as we come back to God, He listens to our prayer.
Remember God’s work
David remembered what God had done after the victory. Those who pursued and retrieved the captives and the loots did not want to share them with those who remained.
Job 1:21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Those who are close to God recognized all they have they received from God.
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