Seek the Lord’s Answer
Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 30:1-31
David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”
David’s refuge at Ziklag was attacked and burned while he and his men were away. And all their wives and children were taken by the Amalekites. Everyone wept and lamented over this destruction, and David was in deep distress. It seemed his men were about to turn on him because they lost all their loved ones, but “David found strength in the Lord his God.”
What should they do? David knew that the best way to seek guidance was from the Lord. So he went to Abiathar the priest in order to ask God what to do next. The Lord’s answer would be the only answer that mattered.
“Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” David asked. The Lord’s answer was positive. God gave David the go-ahead to rescue everyone’s families and all the plunder that the Amalekites had taken.
The Lord had provided victory over the Amalekites, and when some of the men wanted to keep the plunder for themselves, David declared, “All will share alike.” Everyone was entitled to a share, whether they had stayed back to guard the supplies or they had advanced to fight in the battle. After all, said David, all of this had been given by the Lord, who protected them and gave them victory. David also shared some of the plunder to people in the surrounding towns as well.
Lord, every good and perfect gift comes from you alone. Help me to promote sharing and inclusiveness rather than exclusion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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