KNOW YOUR TRUE FRIEND

1 Samuel 30:1-4,6

Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground.

They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone.

When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families,

they wept until they could weep no more.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Yesterday we looked at "when rejection is good". We saw that David was saved from fighting his own people by being rejected by the other Philistine rulers.

Furthermore, when we look at today's reading we see that it took him three days to return to Ziklag, the city king Achish gave to him to dwell. What did they find:

1 Samuel 30:1

Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground.

Now listen, what if he had not been rejected by the Philistine commanders and had gone ahead with them into battle, he would not have returned for weeks and by that time his wives and those of his men would have been ravished, not just that, their wives and children may have been sold into slavery.

"Listen, some rejection should be celebrated for they are blessings in disguise!"

Let us go back to the situation of David and his men when they returned to Ziklag.

1 Samuel 30:3-6

When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families,

they wept until they could weep no more.

David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured.

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

David was filled with sorrow, so also was his men, this had affected all of them to their very soul.

Wait, look at the reaction of his men:

1 Samuel 30:6

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

. . . all his men were talking of stoning him . . .

Can you see the way humans reason?

We always want to blame someone. Did David cause the raid of the city? His men did not want to think about that, they just wanted to blame him for it and even kill their benefactor for it. 

Listen brethren, understand this, your only true friend is the Heavenly Father who revealed Himself in Christ Jesus.

Don't get it twisted, He is the only one you can trust 100% and He will never fail you.

Thank God, David knew this:

1 Samuel 30:6b-8

But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it.

Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”And the lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”

David found strength in the Lord his God. 

That is it, not any human but on God, if you get this right, you will get everything right.

This was the beginning of His victory.

As we end the year today, know where your strength lies, know whom you can trust. Who is your true friend? 

He is the Heavenly Father who is revealed in Christ Jesus, He is ever faithful and true, always there even when everyone has left or denied you. He knows How to come through for you.

As we complete this year today and enter the new year, it is time to refocus, to put your attention in the right place.

Hebrews 12:2a

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. 

David sang:

Psalms 20:7

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

Know this and know peace.

Our strength is in the Lord our God.

He will lead us and give us victory.

PRAYER

As I gloriously enter into another year, Lord help me know that You are my first, help me lean on You and walk in obedience. No other can take Your place Lord. I am victorious because You take care of me. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher.