I Samuel 30:1-8 is the telling of one of my favorite stories in The Bible. At this point in David's life, he and some of his followers lived among the Philistines in a land called Ziklag. They went to fight against Israel, but God prevented that from happening. David was sent back home with his men. While they were gone, the Amalekites attacked his home, burned it down, and took the women and remaining men captive. When David and the men arrived, they wept at this discovery. Sadly, emotions turned against David, and the men focused their anger on him. They wanted to stone him. "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters... But David found strength in the LORD his God."
These men faced the same catastrophic circumstances. There was one reaction, all the men wept. After that reaction to the same occasion, they chose two different responses. The men blamed David. In juxtaposition, David found strength in the Lord.
The response of the men brought the conclusion to take their anger out on another person. The reaction of David brought the decision that God had the answers. And with that decision, verse 8 shows us what David did with that belief. "David inquired of the LORD." If the men had it their way, they would have killed David and sought revenge in their power. They may have even brought forth the ends that justified their means. The bad part, it would have accomplished their glory. They would have learned nothing about the character of God.
The men's response is a common one today by many who say they follow Jesus. We react in our flesh and go after the flesh's reward, then revel in our glory. It all appears benign. We get results. Yet, we've come no closer to the dependency on God he wants for us. Romans 8:8, "Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." The direction the men would have taken, even possibly with the effect they wanted, their wives and families back, would not have pleased God. All they would have accomplished would have been a fleshly reward. Walking further away from God in their autonomy and learning nothing about God's desire to lead, guide, and direct them.
The magnificent part of the passage offers us two examples, two choices, two places to turn in the worst of circumstances. The men chose the flesh. David chose the Lord. Romans 8 calls David's choice "walking by the Spirit." This is the "stop, drop and roll" of handing the fires of life. Some passages reword 1 Samuel 30:6, "but David strengthened himself in the LORD." I love that more because it shows the different choices made. David was intentional through his pain. He chose to look to God. He did not want to act in a way that would not give glory to God. He asked for direction, "David inquired of the LORD." The options seemed simple, get his and his men's families back.
Let's be careful. Though the option seems easily determined, it doesn't mean that is what God wants done. Our ways are not his. Two places to turn include, depending on the flesh or the Spirit. And determining our way out or inquiring of the LORD to direct our steps. Each is vital for our walk with the Lord. Each is a necessary indicator of our genuine relationship with God. We solve, in our power, so many of our problems. Today it is easier to do than anyone can argue. But is it correct? NO!
David could have capitulated to the ire of his men. He could have been overwhelmed enough to get out of the circumstance by surrendering to their will, but he did not. David's choice to turn to the LORD amid deep pain and then grave danger is our example that it is possible for us. The Scripture reminds us that we have two places to turn, the flesh or the Spirit, in many different passages.
a) The men in 1 Samuel 30 is an example of turning to the flesh.
b) David's choice was to turn to the Spirit by being strengthened in and inquiring of the LORD.
You and I, too, have the same two places to turn, flesh or Spirit. Make a choice wisely. There is enough counsel not to go the wrong way.
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