“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” (1 Samuel 30:6).
The Bible has a way of mellowing out the suffering, anguish, terror.
“David was greatly distressed.”
That makes it sound like David was having a bad day. Maybe even a really bad day. But it doesn’t come close to how horrendous that day must have been like.
David’s decision as a leader led to catastrophic loss, not only for himself, but all his followers. You see, while David and his men were out to battle, the Amalekites raided where David and his men had been staying. They captured all the old, the women, and children and took everything that David and his men owned.
David’s men were devastated. Their wives, children, parents were all gone. They wanted to kill David.
Ever been there? Where your decision as a leader led to catastrophic results for your followers. They lose everything because of your decision as a leader?
This was a nightmare of all nightmares.
David’s men wanted to kill him. I’ve made some dumb leadership decisions but I can’t ever remember people wanting to kill me!
I have no idea how much time passed. I don’t know if we’re talking hours or days of anguish. It is probably the latter.
Those hours and days had to have been torture. I can’t even imagine. These were the valleys of the shadow of death.
What are you supposed to do? What do you do when all hell breaks loose?
We’re told, “but David found strength in his God.”
David found strength in God. Prayer. Psalms. Being in the presence of God gave David strength.
This doesn’t mean the nightmare disappears. This doesn’t mean everything returns to normal. It does mean God gives you strength and perspective so that you can keep going and keep leading.
Your time with God in God’s word and in prayer is essential. There will come a time when your very life may depend on it. You will need to have in place a regular practice of finding strength in God.
Keep at it. Keep praying. Keep meditating on God’s word.
Praxis: Faith in Action 