1 Samuel 29:6-30:2, 6-8 So Achish finally summoned David and said to him, “I swear by the Lord that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won’t hear of it. Please don’t upset them, but go back quietly.” “What have I done to deserve this treatment?” David demanded. “What have you ever found in your servant, that I can’t go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?” But Achish insisted, “As far as I’m concerned, you’re as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light.” So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on the Jezreel. Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amelikites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. …. But David found strength in the Lord his God. Then he said to Abiathar the Priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”
David and his men did not understand why they were being sent back from battle. David had been loyal to Achish and his men had been loyal to him. After a three day journey back to Ziklag, they arrived feeling defeated, only to discover their town had been raided, destroyed and all their families and herds taken by the Amelikites. Further defeat. Yet, as will be seen in the next part of this story, David and his troops rallied and went against the Amelikites and rescued them all. You often do not understand why I either do something in your life, or allow certain events or circumstances. You are discouraged, saddened, confused. You often feel as if I don’t care because I allow these things to happen. But, look at David. At a moment of defeat comes a great victory. If Achish had not sent them back, they would not have discovered the Amelikites had raided their town. Their families would have been gone forever. David grieved appropriately, then moved on. He looked to me and found the strength he needed to go after the raiders. And, as I promised, I was with him and they went on to victory and rescued their families and recovered all their property. Do not allow circumstances to defeat you, child. Do not allow the evil of your world to weaken your resolve. Do not allow those who would harm you – in order to harm me – to win. Look to me. Seek my face, my help. I am here. I have not moved. I have a reason for allowing everything that comes into your life and it can strengthen you, strengthen your faith, strengthen your walk, equip you for further battle – if you give it to me, seek my help and guidance and keep going forward. Remember when you lifted weights? It was never fun when you upped the weights. It hurt. It fatigued you. You had to push through. But, after a while, you were stronger and ready for more weight. This is just like that. I have you where you are, experiencing what you are, for a reason. Seek that reason. Seek me. Lean into it, just as you did when you were lifting – which you are doing now, you are lifting weight – spiritual weight. I’m still by your side. I will still catch the weight if it gets too heavy. I will not allow it to crush you. But, you must not allow it to crush your spirit. Your enemy would stop you before you get any stronger. Do not allow that.
Amanuensis 