1 Samuel 30:1-10 "David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit.
Ok, if this isn't faith, faithfulness, loyalty - I don't know what is. I was reading this portion this morning and the Spirit illuminated these verses. By the way, when you read the Word, ask the Spirit to allow you to see what He want's you to see, you just may be surprised by something you've overlooked for quite some time.
David and his men were set to fight with the Philistines, since they were living in their country. Not sure what the logic was behind that... not even going into that. The Philistines said "NO WAY". He'll turn around and kill all of us. So, David and his men when back to the Ziklag - their settlement and these verse start.
Now, think about coming back home and seeing devastation everywhere and bodies livestock lying here and there. Women and children carried off. The men wept openly - mighty soldiers who were strong enough to allow their grief to come out. They cried so hard that they had no strength. I'm thinking a lot of us know what that feels like... once we let it all out.
But then the because angry with David and wanted to stone him. David humbled himself - and I personally believe that he asked for the Ephod so that the men could see that he was inquiring of the Lord and not about to act on his own accord. The Lord honored his faith and in Him and said go, you'll overtake those who plundered you and you will rescue those that have been taken. (Could be a whole other blog post on that one).
Those men who weren't extremely worn out, decided to trust - to have have faith - to remain loyal to David. They decided to listen and obey, in the midst of their pain. Even the ones who stayed behind listened and obeyed... they needed rest, refreshment - besides, someone had to guard the camp.
To me, this is faith in action. The Word says 'Faith without works is dead'. It doesn't mean anything unless we put it use.
In what areas do we need to put our faith in action? Something to think about....
And let's pray for those in Oklahoma City today.... such devastation.... Lord look on them and come down with comfort and provision.
Praise you in This Storm - Casting Crowns (played before, but it's still good)
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