I Samuel 30:6 But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
David was having a bad day! He and his men arrived at Ziklag only to find that their homes had been burned and their wives and children had been taken captive.
Ever had one of those days when you felt you shouldn’t have gotten out of bed? When it seemed all hell broke loose?
Welcome to Ziklag!
David was a man that understood firsthand what it meant to be in the midst of turmoil! On this particular day, he not only lost his home, but his family had been taken and now the very men that was suppose to be his friends, were threatening to stone him.
As he faced this destruction and upheaval, he had a decision to make!
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
How do you handle devastation? Conflict? Turmoil?
We would do good to follow David’s example: But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God, rather than falling into a trap of self-pity or hopelessness.
We all have Ziklag days. Perhaps you didn’t come home from work to find your house burned to the ground and your family taken captive and there’s a good chance no one has threatened to stone you, but life can happen and before you know it, you will feel as if all hope is lost!
So what are we to do when it seems everything is falling apart around us? When we are having a Ziklag day?
Job was another man that faced utter devastation. Look at what he had to say in Job 13:15 though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. When Job experienced his Ziklag day, and his friends tried to convince him to give up, he stood firm in his belief!
Can we say that we stand firm in the midst of trouble? Are we confident in every situation that God’s got our backs? Do we run to God or fall apart?
We must proclaim as David did:
Psalms 57:1-2 be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.
David could have easily collapsed and fallen apart! Job could have given up! But they looked past the circumstances and grasped a hold of God! David understood that he was better in the shadow of God’s wings! He had learned early to encourage himself in the Lord! He knew where his refuge was!
Are you having a Ziklag day? What are you declaring? As your Ziklag day unfolds, are you able to stand with boldness and say: For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (II Timothy 1:12)
Nevertheless:
When the police calls and they have your child in custody – PROCLAIM! I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!
Nevertheless:
When your husband announces he is bi-sexual – PROCLAIM! I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!
Nevertheless:
When your wife announces she is leaving
When your teenage daughter announces she is pregnant
When your son chooses an alternative life-style
PROCLAIM!
I WILL ENCOURAGE MYSELF IN THE LORD!
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER!
I WILL FIND REFUGE UNDER THE SHADOW OF GOD’S WING!
God longs to be your refuge, your strength and your high tower when you are standing in the midst of a Ziklag kind of day!
Having the wonderful and bold scriptures in this sharing is so powerful. You can just grab onto them and hold tight! Good work Jounda girl!!!! love ya!
