Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 28:1-31:13
My selection: I Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
My reflections: Think of David’s situation at this point. He is a fugitive from Saul. He is living in a foreign country where his protector, Achish, has just been overruled by his fellow Philistine lords who reject David as a reliable ally. His home has been burned and his family kidnapped. His outlaw army has turned against him and they are seriously thinking about stoning him.
There are many ways to die. Some are less horrific than others. Stoning, it seems to me, is a slow painful way to die. It would be accompanied by hateful screams of those who carry out the execution.
But David, completely alone in the world, strengthened himself in the Lord. This is what I admire about him. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
In Isaiah 30:15a we read,
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
David learned that God was his rock and strength. In the midst of all that grief the Lord gave him strength to seek direction from Him. God gave him that direction and he led his men to victory.
My challenge: Do you find yourself completely alone with no one but God to turn to? He may not instantly resolve all your problems but He will strengthen you to do His will. Seek Him. Trust Him. Praise Him for His faithfulness.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-3:21
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