{ Day 276 }

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him. … But David found strength in the Lord his God. Then David … inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” —1 Samuel 30:6-8

Ziklag’s destruction was an agonizing tragedy for David and his men. But David did the right thing. As a result, we know what to do when our Ziklag is burned and compromise is no longer an option. When everything was falling apart, David returned to his root system and “found strength in the Lord his God.” He went to the Lord and said, “Lord, I am Yours. I love You, and I know You love me. Help me, Lord.” One of the greatest miracles that can happen in the life of a discouraged believer is knowing the Lord’s mercy and delight so deeply that we run toward Him in our time of greatest sin. Have you awakened one morning and realized you were living in a place of compromise? David knew what God was like, so he confidently approached the Lord instead of slinking away in shame. This led to his complete recovery. If you run away from God instead of to Him in time of crisis, you can’t be restored, but the complete solution will be found when you run to Him.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, when everything around me is falling apart, cause me to do as David did and “strengthen myself in the Lord.” Give me Your miraculous grace and mercy, and help me to run to You instead of away from You.

Have you watched God burn your Ziklag—
your place of disobedience?