Devotionals for November 4, 2024
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READ
1 SAMUEL 30:1-6
1Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone.
3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. 6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
1Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. 2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone.
3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, 4 they wept until they could weep no more. 5 David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. 6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
REFLECT
As context for the story we find in this chapter, David was not yet king of Israel. In fact, he was being pursued by Saul, the current king of Israel. To compound matters, his home in Ziklag was attacked by the Amalekites, one of Israel’s enemies in the area. The Amalekites burned his home city to the ground and captured all the women and children, including David’s two wives. This level of adversity was too much for his men and they were murmuring about turning on him and taking his life. In short, David’s life was a hot mess.
APPLY
Q: Where did David turn when he was feeling lonely and abandoned?
Q: Where are you tempted to turn when you feel that way? What are some practical ways that you can point yourself to God in these moments?
Q: Is anyone in your life expressing signs of loneliness or despondency? Consider reaching out to them today.
Q: Where are you tempted to turn when you feel that way? What are some practical ways that you can point yourself to God in these moments?
Q: Is anyone in your life expressing signs of loneliness or despondency? Consider reaching out to them today.
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
Lord, remind me that you are holy in the bright moments of triumph, and you are still holy in the dark moments when I feel lonely or abandoned. Remind me that you have set your favor upon me, you promise to never leave nor forsake me, and you will never let me down. You are good. Amen.Jesus - You are always there in the fire with us. Thank you for never leaving me or abandoning me. You are such a fair God. You teach us that the Gospel is for the Merchant, Slave Girl, and Jailer. All I can say is thank You for all You have done!
Lord, remind me that you are holy in the bright moments of triumph, and you are still holy in the dark moments when I feel lonely or abandoned. Remind me that you have set your favor upon me, you promise to never leave nor forsake me, and you will never let me down. You are good. Amen.Jesus - You are always there in the fire with us. Thank you for never leaving me or abandoning me. You are such a fair God. You teach us that the Gospel is for the Merchant, Slave Girl, and Jailer. All I can say is thank You for all You have done!