Are You in a Dark Spot?
Suppose you came home from work/school/shopping to nobody and nothing. Everybody and everything were gone. Your loved ones had been kidnapped. Your home had been ransacked. There was no one, and nothing, left.
What would you do?
David faced that issue. When he and his men got home, all their wives and children had been taken captive, all the livestock driven off, and the town looted and burned.
Everyone wept.
But David faced a challenge you wouldn’t have: the people talked about stoning David.
What would you do?
David’s five steps in that dark spot are good for us to follow:
Encourage Yourself
David encouraged himself, he strengthened himself, in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6)
I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lordis my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:1–3)
We should, regularly and intentionally, center ourselves in our Lord God. He is our loving sovereign, has a loving purpose for our situation, and will guide us to the proper response. We need to humble ourselves before Him.
Ask the Lord what to do
Then David asked the Lord what to do. (1 Samuel 30:8)
God promises wisdom (James 1:5-8).
This step is essential! Too often, we run off doing what seems best to us, rather than inquiring of the Lord.
Remember, Christ is interceding for you. (See Jesus is Praying for You.) The Holy Spirit is praying for you (See The Holy Spirit is Praying for You).
Do what the Lord tells you to do
Then David went, pursued, fought, and recovered. (1 Samuel 30:9-20)
So—really, now—do you ever ask the Lord what to do, not like His answer, and act according to your own understanding and in your own strength?
Trust in the Lordwith all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.(Proverbs 3:5)
Honor God
Then David honored God with the spoil. (1 Samuel 30:23-31)
We are to give thanks in everything. Everything.
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
We don’t thank Him for evil, but no matter what happens, God is praiseworthy.
Share your Story
David shared the spoil with the elders of Judah, which included sharing the story of God’s mighty deliverance.
Who can you tell about how God helped you in a dark spot? Your story will encourage others.
