When Your World Falls Apart, Rush to God

This is how I picture David's return with his men to Ziklag. The smell of fire was the first indication something was off, the city's unnatural quiet was the next. Dread settled in the heart of each man as they drew closer. Slivers of hope were crushed when it was confirmed the enemy had carried away their families. This was not just any enemy either. No, their families had been carried away by the Amalekites who King Saul had unsuccessfully attempted genocide against eighteen years earlier (I samuel 15) and David and his men had just slain (I Samuel 27:8-9). What kind of bitter hatred did the Amalekites harbor in their hearts toward the Israelites? In the face of staggering loss, the battle-hardened warriors broke down. Consumed by a tidal wave of grief, they wept until they had no more power to weep. I imagine loud guttural cries and deep heaving sobs, the wail of anguish, the sound of devastation. Eventually grief gave way to a call for action and David's men spoke of stoning him.

The enemy is precise with his timing. We have an excellent example in Job. Servant after servant delivered horrific news to Job the last conveying the death of his children. Now before David and his army ever arrived at Ziklag they were rejected by the Philistine princes and sent away from doing battle alongside them. After a three-day march home, David found Ziklag burned with fire and his precious wives kidnapped. He is consumed with grief and then betrayal as his men turn against him. Who will rescue his family if he is killed? Blow after blow comes his way. Had the future king ever been under more pressure? Yet, in the midst of this extreme turmoil, he encourages himself in the Lord. When his whole world comes crashing down, in the midst of overwhelming grief and unrest, David looks to God.

Encouraging ourselves in the Lord reminds us how powerful, glorious and awesome He is. Remembring the great things He has done on our behalf and others remind us of His faithfulness. God is good. He is our loving Father who protects, provides, and pulls us in close. We can absolutely trust He has very good things planned for us in the midst of very bad circumstances. The temporal may go to pieces but He has long-term goals in mind, spiritual blessings, that are worth so much more than anything this world has to offer. In the midst of devastation, we can lose sight of what is truly important but He never does, always wanting the very best for us.

After David encourages himself in the Lord he enquires of the Lord. This amazes me because David was an emotional man. Many of the Psalms he penned bear witness to his strong reactions. How easy it could have been to ride a tide of emotion and vengeance in pursuit of the enemy but he didn't. He could have crumbled under the immense pressure but that isn't what happened. David enquired of the Lord and the Lord answered yes, pursue the troop and everything will be restored to you.

I believe that because David sought God, he and his men were blessed with a supernatural strength. David and his army had just traveled three days and wept until they had no more power to weep. One-third of the army had to stay behind because they were too exhausted to continue, yet David and his men smote the Amalekites from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day. Isaiah 40:29-31 tells us that He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. When we place our trust in the Lord He will make provision for us. David recovered everything the Amalekites carried away and more. The enemy loves to make messes, but I have good news; our God has plans to use those messes to draw us closer. King David's son, King Solomon, wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Intimacy is increased when we trust God completely and He, in turn, directs us. His brush strokes become apparent across the canvas of our lives. Looking back we spot His fingerprints in the paint and know this story isn't ours alone, it's God's too.

When things shatter into pieces, this is when we need God the very most. His inviting arms are open. We can turn to our spouses or friends, eat our feelings or throw ourselves into the business of life but none of those things will bring restoration. They can bring relief but God provides healing. Do not confuse these two. The thing about relief is, it never lasts, you will have to find it over and over again. There is only One who can heal us. Psalm 147:3 says He healeath the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 

God was so many things to David, his rock, fortress, high tower, strength and deliverer. He knew his help came from the Lord and that God was more than able to care for him. We need to find that place, where God is our everything, and our first reaction is to put our trust in Him. He will lead, guide, teach, provide, direct, protect and so much more. When our world falls apart we can trust, that though it is in pieces, it is also in God's very capable hands. I leave you with David's words. Psalm 71:3 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.