Turning to the Lord

Day two hundred fifty-two

I work with some pretty amazing people who all have challenges that they are facing.  One of my jobs is to bring an uplifting scripture verse to share.  This became a part of my job when they found out that I was a seminary teacher for 4 years.  People's perceptions of a seminary teacher are really quite interesting.  Anyway, it has actually turned into a blessing for me, because I need these scriptures as much as anybody there.  Today's scripture is Psalm 34:7-9.  It talks about the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them, tasting the good in the Lord, and that there is no want to them that believe.  I have been thinking about what that scripture means to me and I have found myself filled with gratitude because I have been the recipient of all these blessings.  That is what I prayed about this morning, the blessings that He has given me.  I am just so thankful!

1 Samuel 30  Turning to God
Just when you think that the situation couldn't possibly get any worst for David, chapter 30 comes along!  This must have felt like the low point for David. 

He had been rejected by his own people (1 Sam 19-21)
He had been rejected by the Philistines (1 Sam 29)
His city is burned to the ground (1 Sam 30:1)
His family is taken captive (1 Sam 30:2,5)
His own people want to stone him (1 Sam 30:6)

It must have felt like the whole world hated him and that the Lord had forsaken him.  The big question is, how will David react to the situation?  So far his track record hasn't been so good , he seems to have gotten himself into this mess, and he is running out of people to run to. 

There is a pleasant surprise in this chapter, we get to see the heart of the real David come out again.  We see some spiritual growth in David that has been lacking and he provides us with a template to guide us when we are in our own messes and feel like the world hates us.

David encourages himself in the Lord his God (v 6)
I just wanted to cheer for him when he made this decision!  He doesn't try to deal with it alone, he doesn't look to the world for encouragement, he does exactly what he should have done and he turns to the Lord. 

He enquires of the Lord (v 8)
This is an excellent step for David to take.  In the past, when he has sought the Lord, things went much smoother.  He needs direction before he takes any action and he goes to the best source there is.  

He follows the Lord's Direction (vv 8-9)
The Lord tells him he needs to pursue the enemy and David does.  Can you see the Lord's hand in the pursuit?  There just happens to be a young servant from Egypt who has been left behind because he got sick and David finds him.  Then this young servant is able to lead David and his army to the enemy. Please, the Lord is definitely working behind the scenes in this one!  He does the same for us, we just have to see it!

He gives credit to the Lord for the victory (v 23)
David doesn't say that he and his men won the battle, he realizes and states that it is the Lord who has given it to them.  This is the perspective we need to keep, the Lord gives us each victory in our life.  Think about how much stronger our relationship with the Lord would be if we recognized His part in all the good in our lives.  We would have hearts filled with gratitude!

He shares the spoils (vv 24, 26-31)
When the Lord blesses us he expects us to give back.  As Christians we have an obligation to take care of one another.  The Lord will bless us so that we can do this, but we have to be willing to fulfill our end of the deal.  We need to share our blessings!

It was nice to have something uplifting this morning to write about. That is one of the challenges with the Old Testament, there is so much wickedness and destruction, that it is sometimes hard to find God among the verses.  I am so grateful for the ability to find God not only in the scriptures, but in my life daily.  I don't know how people get through this life without recognizing His love.  It's one of the spoils that we need to share!