“…but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (v.6b)
When David and his army returned to Ziklag, to be reunited with
their families, they discovered that the Amalekites had invaded the town,
burned down their homes, and carried their families away (v.1-2). Not only did
David lose his house and his family, but his own men turned against him, and
were ready to stone him (v.6a) What did David do? He “strengthened himself in
the Lord.”
David’s strengthening probably came through looking back at all
the ways in which God had protected him, provided for him and gave him victory
in many perilous situations. It very well could have come in the form of praise
to God through songs, as we know, David wrote many.
However, as he strengthened himself, he came out of his sorrow
and inquired of the LORD, “shall I pursue them?” The Lord answered him directly
in verse 8, “Pursue, for you shall overtake them and recover all.” Then Daivd
and his 400 men acted on God’s direction and recovered every person and procession
that was taken, along with enough spoil to share with the entire nation
(v.26-30).
What a great lesson for us today. Even though David had been off
track with God, by strengtheneing himself in the Lord, inquiring of the Lord, and
following the Lord’s direction, he was used mightily.
The Truth
“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.” (Psalm 18:2-3)
