Title: Going back to Ziklag
Theme: Show the importance of taking back our families.
Text: 1 Samuel 30:1-8
Introduction
In chapter 30 of 1 Samuel we are coming to the end of the Davids wilderness wanderings. I know you know of Israel’s wandering in the dessert for 40 years, what you may not know is that for 30 years David was pursued by Saul. David would run for him in the wilderness. Here we are at the end.
God was building David at this time. Two things that the Lord was teaching David in the wilderness 1) God was giving David a warrior’s heart. David with his mighty men was building the courage to fight against the enemy of the Lord. From the Lions and the Bears to the Giant Goliath to the Philistines or the Amalekites David was not a afraid to fight for the dignity of the Lord. We need this desire to fight. We need the courage to recognize the enemy and fight against him. We need a warrior’s heart.
2ndly God was building into David a dependence on him. There were times when David could not go on and he would look to the Lord. There were times when the odds seem to be impossible and David would look to the Lord. Even when he had Saul by his coat tail (literally) David would look to the Lord an not kill the king.
When we read back to ch 29 we learn that David had went to repay a favor. He went to fight with the Philistines. David was always looking for a fight, he was a warrior. Problem is he forgot to pursue the approval of the Lord. No where do we read that David asked the Lord.
Two problems 1) who David was fighting for (Philistines) the lifetime enemy of Israel 2) who David was fighting against (Israelites)
When David gets back to Ziklag (which is where his family has camped) he finds that the Amalekites had come in and destroyed his camp and took his family. Sons, daughters, wives and everything. Lock stock and barrel.
This was devastating. Even his own men began to turn against him. With rumors of stoning.
“While seeking to help the ungodly he suffers the loss of all that he had.”
“In attempting to watch the vineyard of others David failed to keep his own.”
“David’s alliance with the Philistines brought him a lot of trouble”
I. David “strengthened” – encouraged – himself in the Lord
How do we encourage ourselves in the Lord?
A. Remember who we are
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
B. Remember who He (God) is
1 Cor 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1Cor 10:13 CEV You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment thou shalt condemn. 55:1 This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:3 CEV We live in this world, but we don’t act like its people 4 or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
II. David inquired of the Lord
“We can’t encourage ourselves much unless we are willing to submit unto him” and his will.”
In other words David didn’t have a strategy to accomplish this mission. He had been a warrior. He had fought many battles yet he took time to inquire of the Lord to find out what the Lord would say.
This is important. We need to rely on the Lord and be sensitive to His spirit when it comes to our children. Keep an open mind and an open heart. Preaching is not always the best method.
Many times it is living before them.
III. David pursued and fought the enemy on God’s terms
A. When you do it on God’s terms then you see the favor of God
1. God had put an Egyptian slave in his path who led them to the Amalekites
1Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
B. When you do it on God’s terms victory will come
1. The enemy was defeated- whatever took the family will fall
2. The family was recovered
3. God restored the relationships back as it was
Conclusion
I want you to come this morning and lay that family before the Lord. If you have done things to take you family away from the Lord and place them in the grasp of the enemy we must come and repent before the Lord. Then we must be encouraged that he hears our prayer.
