Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke
of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man
for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in
the Lord his God. – 1 Samuel 30:6
David and his men came back to their city and it was burned,
all their wives, sons, and daughters had been taken. David and his men were very burdened by this. In verse 4, there is very strong language
that probably isn’t stated strong enough.
The NRSV says that “David and the people with him raised their voices and wept,
until they had no more strength to weep.” The Message says that the men were “exhausted with
weeping”. Obviously, they all
considered their families to have been hurt, abused, or dead.
Once they stopped grieving, they got angry. Their anger turned on David.
We read that David was “greatly distressed” for two reasons. One, he had lost the confidence of the people. Two, the soul of all the people were terribly
grieved for their families. David cares
deeply for the people. I also believe
that as their leader he was hurt that he had led them to such pain. He knew he was God’s appointed and as such,
it would have been greatly discerning that the people might turn away from God.
Yet, in the midst of this pain, exhaustion, grief, and
personal attack, David does what we must learn to do, strengthen ourselves in
the Lord our God. He drew closer to
God. Notice that we are told clearly
here that the Lord is David’s personal God, “the Lord his
God”. Is the Lord your
God? Do you have a close personal
relationship with Him? Can you turn to
Him at any time and know the presence of the Lord is with you?
David is recorded in Psalms 18:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is
my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in
whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I
will call upon the Lord, who
is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness
made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death
confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my
God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. (vs
1-6)
He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many
waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for
they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad
place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. (vs 16-19)
David’s testimony and witness is that the Lord rescued
him. The Lord was there when David was
drowning. The Lord in His high place (“even
to His ears”) heard a humble David’s plee.
The perfect Father “delivered me because He delighted in me”. The Lord delights in His children and has His
Hand in all things in our life so we may grow if we are willing in our
knowledge and faith of Him.
Draw close to God today in whatever trials beset you. Trust in the Lord and the Lord alone and know
He does not leave you to yourself.
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