06/17/2014
Father, as we sit this morning, in your presence, our hearts stir for thee. Our spirits, our innermost beings desire intimacy, and not just casual in nature, but to more of an extreme; they long, they yearn, with an intensity that defies the senses. We are in need, desperate need of all that you would desire for and in our lives. May that which is written glorify you, our God, may it glorify your Son, our Savior and may it glorify the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. In thine hands, we commit our spirits this day.
1 Samuel 301-8 “And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag and burned it with fire; and had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city; and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nahal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought hither thither the ephod to David. And David inquired at the Lord, saying, shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
David would find himself in quite the precarious position. In his absence, and in the absence of those men committed to his endeavors, their families, their wives and children, were now captives. So distraught were those that had aforetime been willing to forsake all for him, now find themselves in a place of rebellion, filled with frustration, overcome with anger, to the point of the possible stoning of David; in their estimation, the one singular man, responsible for the loss of their families.
David too, as noted, “was greatly distressed’ probably feeling much of the same. He would have been, undoubtedly, bearing the burden of such a great loss. David, however, had been long in the school of the Lord as His disciple and would not abandon, would not turn away from the one constant in his life; that of his relationship with the God that had traveled, the One that had traversed, the One that simply walked down the paths of life with him.
It notes that David, “encouraged himself” or he attached himself, retained, seized, strengthened himself, “in the Lord his God.” I love the thought that he, in the midst of this tribulation, does not turn from God with lack of understanding, as we, may find ourselves, sometimes, trying to figure out “why” this or that has happened or is happening to us? David rather than running from God chooses to run towards God, with a simple trust, a humble faith and with an unfailing, unwavering mindset that “his God,” the God of all creation, in His Omnipotence, with His Omnipresence, could be interested in the affairs of but one man. Do we count our lives, as His sons and His daughters, of equal importance?
David, now surely prostrate, is bold enough to ask two questions specific of his God. “And David inquired at the Lord, saying, shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them?”
What follows is of great encouragement and it fills me to overflowing with an abundance and a richness so inexplicably sweet that it drips with savor and aroma!
“And he answered him, pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
Let us not read this too quickly; once again, contemplate the words before us…
“And he answered him.” I wonder, do we expect the same? I am fearful that our relationship with the Father is so lacking that we simply do not believe that He will answer the many questions we may pose. Though David was given immediate response, we must be careful, ever vigilant in our resolve to wait upon Him to reveal the answers we may seek.
Christ, near His end in the flesh, would share intimately these most profound words to those close to Him; the volume of this passage, as if just spoken, has more than withstood time… John 16:13 notes, “Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” This Spirit of truth, the very essence of Christ himself, is within, each one of us, longing to speak that which he hears.
The Father, does not mince words but rather answers specific, “pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them.” I find it more than thought-provoking, that the very words forming the question, are the same words that would form His answer?!
(I am reminded of a time, in the midst of a personal encounter with the Lord years ago, through strange means, I clearly heard Him ask me, “what do you want from me?” I was fearful to answer, yet, after much contemplation, as He patiently waited for my answer, I simply uttered, “all I really want is more of you.” Interesting enough, in the midst of life and its trials, its tribulations and seeking guidance on a myriad of issues year after year, I found and still to this day, find myself crying out to the Lord quite often, “what do you want from me?” His answer… “all I really want is more of you.”)
He, however, God, the loving Father, goes one step further; with a promise, and as with Job, He surely encouraged David with a further blessing and adds to the answer, “and without fail recover all.” I can only imagine, as one with family, the reunion of those, within each family unit, to their loved ones after such an awful, heart wrenching, experience.
Father, I wonder, if this passage is not a very picture of our lives? The enemy comes in unaware, with absolutely no regard for ill prepared, unsuspecting victims, stealing, pillaging and capturing that which we hold dear; simply for his selfish pleasure. And we, sometimes, or many times, as with David, find ourselves “greatly distressed.” Today, let us, respond in kind. May we seek you out, encouraging ourselves in you, our God, without fear of asking questions. And though the answer may tarry at times, be diligent in waiting for your guidance. Again, as with David, may we find comfort and may we find courage to walk in that which you will speak. Promises abound, for those, willing to give their lives to the One that desires to do the same and actually did in the form of His Son. Thank you so much for your love that is limitless and without boundaries, for it and of itself, pursues, overtakes, and recovers all!
I am humbly yours and continually “undone”
Daniel