During the days when David and his men and were hiding from King Saul, David had been hiding among the Philistines and pretending to be an ally with them against Israel. As the Philistines prepared to go into battle against Saul and his troops, many of the Philistine rulers did not want David to join them for fear that he would actually fight for Israel. So, David and his men were told to return to Ziklag, where their families were waiting.  After a three-day journey, David and his men came home to find disaster waiting for them. 

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 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. (1 Sam. 30:1-6).

David and his men were undoubtedly exhausted by the time they reached Ziklag.  They had to be wondering what was happening between the Philistine armies and Israel.  Much of their future seemed to hang on the outcome. If victorious, Saul would still hunt David and his men and would surely have found out David had been with the Philistines.  He and his men would then be branded as traitors along with being marked as outlaws.  If the Philistines won the day, David might find himself out of favor with them and would then be caught in between the two rival nations.  

Exhausted and uncertain about their future, they arrived home to find their city burned and their wives and children gone. In their condition, they felt hopeless and betrayed by David who had led them away from their families, exposing them, and placing them in an intolerable position.  In their exhaustion, fear, hopelessness, and bitterness, they even spoke of stoning David. David was distraught himself, but now also faced the wrath of his men.

The text, however, says that David “strengthened himself in the Lord.”  Satan never shows up when we are fresh, full of faith, and ready for a fight.  He shows up when we are tired, uncertain, and perhaps, feeling betrayed by someone in our lives.  Then he always piles on one more thing that seems crushing in the moment…that “one-thing-after-another” scenario.  Even the best of us can crumble in those moments.

Remember Elijah after facing all the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.  He had seen God send down fire and in the strength of the Spirit, had killed hundreds of the false prophets. Immediately after his amazing, miraculous victory, he received a message from Jezebel that she would have his head by the next day. This “one-more-thing” sent Elijah into a fit of despair and defeat.  This great man of faith who had just seen God do miracles, crumbled under the weight of her threat.  Even after great victories, we can be spiritually depleted and vulnerable to the threats of the enemy. Elijah needed rest and David needed strength.

So, David strengthened himself in the Lord.  What did that look like for him? I can only speculate, but I think he had to remember that God has assured him of a future that would not end in that moment.  The prophet had declared he would be king.  He was not king yet, so his time was not yet up.  He also must have remembered the victories God had given him before, that seemed impossible…the lion, the bear, the Philistine champion Goliath, the impossible escapes from the hand of Saul, and so on. 

There will be times for all of us that we need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord because Satan will show up when our strength is depleted.  In those moments, when life feels impossible to face, we need to go to God.  We need to remember what he has done for us in the past, remember prophetic words we have received, and refresh ourselves in his promises in the Word and claim them by faith.  We need to call on spiritual family to stand with us and encourage us.  Sometimes we need to rest.  And most importantly, we need to hear from God. 

When Elijah heard Jezebel’s threat, he ran away (1 Kings 19).  God did not rebuke him for his lack of faith but sent angels to minister to him as he hid.  God knows our weakness but works to renew us not to rebuke us.  David sought out the priest and a fresh word from God.  God assured him that if he pursued the Amalekites, God would give him victory. He and his men took strength and encouragement from that word, pursued the Amalekites, and rescued all their wives and children without a single loss.

When Satan shows up, sometimes we need rest and sometimes we need to take action, but both come from pressing into the Lord, hearing his voice, remembering his faithfulness in the past, and standing on a prophetic word he has given us. It comes from finding people of faith who will encourage us so we can borrow a “cup of faith” from them.

Let me encourage you.  When the enemy shows up on your worst day and adds one more thing to your crisis, strengthen yourself in the Lord.  If you are wise, you will already have journaled, underlined, highlighted, and written out your prophetic words to stand on as you lean into the Lord.  We are always encouraged to have a plan when crisis comes…a fire, a blizzard, a tornado, etc. We are told to store up supplies to see us through the emergency…food, blankets, a flashlight, a first aid kit. 

Perhaps, we should do so spiritually.  We should already have in place the very things we will need when trouble comes our way. We will already have a plan of what to remember, his promises to stand on, and people of faith we can call.  God will be there for us to furnish rest or strength to take action.  But, we will need to seek him rather than feeling abandoned by him. That is the promise of scripture.