David Strengthened Himself in Jehovah, So Will I

From: June 3-9, 2008

Pastor: Edith Cruz

Study # 545 TOPIC: “David Strengthened Himself in Jehovah, So Will I” 1 Samuel 30:10, 21

David left peacefully from his city and returned later. Although he lacked strength and will, Saul was determined to kill him since he was totally fatigued and lost, because God had already turned away from him. We sometimes think that because the grace of God is there and we have the embrace of our brothers and sisters in Christ that everything will be well, but what we should fear is not having to go what Saul went thru, to have God turn away from us. The armies of Israel and the Philistines were ready for the confrontation. Israel was losing the war. Nothing was unknown to David, as a prophet he knew everything. For this reason, in his body he felt the burden very strongly, because he knew that in that moment the Philistines were stronger than Israel. It was this way because Saul no longer had God on his side. That meant that not only Saul could die but also Jonathan, David’s intimate friend, although there was already a distance between them. There was a heavy load upon David and he was physically fatigued. He was going to fight against the enemies of Israel although he didn't have a large army. God never allowed his army to grow to more than 600 men until he understood a few things. David never stopped caring for his people. We sometimes felt assured about certain things, but in life nothing is certain, for this reason we cannot stop fighting. Everything in life should be cared for and protected. The Amalekites attacked the city where David lived and they took everything taking captive the families of David and his warrior men. Since David frequently raided the amalekites territory, they were waiting for the right time to attack. As believers we should know that the eyes of everyone are always upon us. The amalekites were watching each of David’s movements to invade and destroy. Our bodies are not moved by our strength but by our passion and that is what allows us to be good warriors. They took everything from David, his family, children, wife, everything. But, David showed in this situation his great discernment of God’s character. If as the church we devote ourselves to become acquainted with God’s character we will know how to act with justice, according to the character of the living God. Because of the knowledge David had of the character of God, he immediately went to God for consolation, because everyone was against him. 1 Samuel 30: 6 In his heart he felt like a king knowing that the Philistines were better prepared than the people of Israel and knowing how Saul felt and all the rest of them. David knew clearly that in this great crisis there was nowhere to turn but to God. It was a dark day, turbulent, in which he did not know what to do. David was not perfect, but he knew how to have a heart for God and this is what we need to have. David’s men began to gossip against him. But David’s relation and love towards God is what sustained David in those very difficult moments. That is why no one could defeat him and no one can defeat us either. They all rebelled against him, for that reason David became afflicted. They thought that David had caused all this disaster for provoking the Amalekites. They forgot the word that God had spoken to them. They immediately forgot the hope that David would be there king and that they were going to be the future generals and captains, because this is what God had promised them. They gossiped that same day about David’s victory. We must be careful of what we say when we are tired and overwhelmed, because what we say will mark our future, although God wants a better future for us. Those people who were tired and

overwhelmed looked at David and saw that they could not ask him for help, but David showed them that he was still a warrior even in the most difficult situations. Our problem is that we see what is in front of our eyes and not what God is willing to do. Those men declared themselves defeated. All those who came close to David were sinners whom he had given refuge and food. Now they threatened to stone him. In such circumstances a lot of faith is needed. David strengthened himself in Jehovah and that was what was great in him. We should never look only at what is in front of us, let us look up to God and He will speak to us. The lack of confidence, the unhappiness, and the impatience of those men would bring them affliction and a lot of misery. David tolerated everything with a good spirit, although he had more reasons to be sorry. The people did not restrain their passions, but David maintained his faith, his strength in God. We should do the same, fortify ourselves in God, and there is nothing more pleasant than to feel that He is over us. We must not live in distress. David was able to do something within himself, he was able to remain calm while all the others were desperate. We have to always try to maintain that patience since there will be many who surround us that will want to discourage us. Let us stand straight and fight the battle. In occasions there are big calamities that want to take away our faith. But we should only move by faith. David knew that he was in difficulties, but he consulted God. There was a purpose in this and that was to recover all those whom he loved, and that is why he consulted with God. He did what he had to do. His faith and his patience appeased the raid and stopped the anger of the soldiers. The faith appeases everything. When the people saw David with a desire to continue believing in God, they remained calm. David achieved with his patience and faith to appease everything. There is no reason to become desperate. There were 200 of his men who got tired and David left them to look after the baggage (the provisions and the animals that needed to be carried). 1 Samuel 30: 10 But, the 600 men were needed because those who had invaded David were much more. David would have to continue believing the word that the Lord had given him. Ant this is how David fought and won the battle, he recovered the booty and didn't lose anything. It is not what is in front of us but what God is going to do. David didn't rise against the two hundred who stayed behind because they were fatigued but rather he showed them compassion. God’s providence will always be there when we need it but, it is our faith that moves it. Let us not stop where we shouldn’t. Let us allow God to be the one who works in us. We should never underestimate those who could not continue the battle like the two hundred because not everyone has the same strength. There are various functions in the church. David generously gave them enough of the plunder obtained. He didn't want to become rich without being thankful. He didn't keep everything but rather he distributed it. David’s heart was like the hear t of God. Everything he sent was covered with prayer. In our victory we should obtain our booty and in our blessings we should give to those in need. Let us be warriors in order to obtain our plunder. The more we struggle, love, strengthen ourselves and believe God with faith, the more we will have in our hands for us and to distribute to others. Amen.