Scripture: 1 Samuel 30: 1 - 31
Theme: Victory Over Evil
Title: Retaking Your Safe Space
What do you do when your safe space has been invaded? What do you do when you are ambushed or face defeat? In this story about Ziklag, David shows us how to turn our(s) defeat into victory/victories.
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God our Father and from Jesus Christ, our Savior and LORD who came to take away all of our sins and infill us with His Holy Spirit.
This morning, I would like to talk to you about what we can do after we get knocked down. You know, when it looks like things in our lives are going well and out of the blue we find ourselves coming up short or facing something that has completely knocked us off our feet.
There are going to be times this upcoming year that we are going to face things that stop us right in our tracks.
+We didn't plan on losing our job, our house or our car.
+We didn't think that the news from the doctor was going to be that depressing or life changing.
+We didn't plan on the person that we love so much becoming so weak and frail so quickly.
+We didn't plan on the person we love so much having to move away or much worse having passed away.
+We didn't plan on this financial crisis happening at this time in our lives.
+We didn't plan on our children coming back and needing for us to take care of them instead of the other way around.
+We didn't plan on needing to take care of our own grandchildren.
+We didn't plan on this family member or that family member being overwhelmed by this addiction or that addiction.
In fact, we may have thought that we had careful and methodically created a very safe place for ourselves. We had our finances in order, our family seemed to be heading the right direction and for the most part life was good. We had planned it that way. We had worked hard to get it that way. All we wanted to do was to enjoy the fruits of all our labor.
This morning most of us like safe spaces. We like it when we have enough money. We like it when the office is a safe place. We like it when the school or wherever we work is a safe space. We like it when home is a safe place. We like it when our lives seem to be operating in safe spaces and zones.
In our Old Testament passage this morning David and his 600 men were pretty much enjoying life in a safe place. For the past year and a half they have been living in and around the city of Ziklag. The city of Ziklag had been given to David as a present by his friend King Achish for the fine work that he and his 600 men had been doing for him.
It was located just outside the area of Judah so David and his men didn't have to worry about King Saul. It was just far enough away from the political center of the Philistine government that the Philistines didn't keep a close watch over them. For the most part it was a great community for his men and their families to live and raise their families. It had all the trimmings of a nice and quiet safe place.
However, how many times have we suddenly discovered that our safe place are not so safe?
This is what happened to David and his men. While they were away tending to some business about 60 miles from home, some Amalekite terrorists had snuck up from the south and had raided the area around Ziklag. They had looted the city and completely burned it to the ground. They had captured David's family along with all the other families and had carted everyone and everything back towards their home region.
Tragically, all that had been safe for David and his men had vanished like a vapor of fog. Their wives, their children, their homes, their livestock, their possessions and their money had all vanished. All they could smell was burnt wood, old clothing and straw. All they could see was wreckage, rubbish and ashes. All they could hear was this eerie quietness, loneliness and loss.
Verses four through six describes for us the raw emotions each man experienced. What had started off as just another normal day suddenly became a day of uncontrollable weeping, intense anger and growing bitterness. Everyone's heart had been ripped open as they realized that everyone and everything they had worked for, loved and was dear to them had vanished. All that was left was a pile of ashes and boat load of pain.
The Scriptures tells us that in the midst of all this pain, anguish and grief some of the men conspired to turn on David. They were so full of rage that they wanted to stone him. They wanted to blame him for their families being abducted. It was all his fault. David should have left a number of them behind to stand guard in case something like this happened.
Their minds were numb. Their emotions raw. They began to wonder if their family members were being abused, tortured or put to death. Where their young daughters being tossed around from man to man like some cheap prostitute? Where their young sons being tortured to death for sport? Where their wives being used as commodities to trade or as trophies to win in a game of cards? Where their moms and dads being left behind in the dust to die because they were considered to be of little or no value?
These 600 men wanted someone to pay. Someone had to pay. They were tired. They had marched over 60 miles in full gear the last three days. They were physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. They had been ready to come home to a house/tent full of happy children. They had been ready to greet their wives with a kiss and enjoy a home cooked meal. Instead, all they smelt was burnt wood and all they saw was destruction and all they felt was pain and loneliness.
It is amazing how many people want to be on your band wagon when things are going good. Everyone loves you while the stock is rising, while the team is winning or while the fame and the money is on the uptick.
But when things go south, when the enemy attacks and all around you is in ruins, it is amazing how quick how some of the same people who said they loved you can so quickly turn against you. It is amazing how quick people can become hostile and even destructive. How one moment you are "king in waiting" to the next moment when people are clamoring to tie you up, dig a hole, stick you in it and throw rocks at your head until you are dead.
I am sure that even David for a moment might have thought - "I'll dig the hole myself." "I'll gather the rocks myself." "Hey, guys you don't have to do that I will go over here and throw myself on my own sword."
By God's grace none of that happened David did not end his life nor did his men end his life. David did not go on a rampage like he had earlier with Nabal (Abigail's first husband) nor did David decide to run away.
Instead, we see that the steps that David takes here are the same steps that I believe that the LORD wants us to take when we get slammed to the floor, when we get ambushed or when suddenly our safe space is not just invaded but destroyed.
I believe David here shows us the way back to victory when we experience defeat.
I. David found Strength in God
David was tired, exhausted, drained and angry. He was worried about his family. He was worried about his men. He was worried that all he had worked for these past few years was disappearing before his eyes. He was worried about the future.
It is important for us to see what David does in this seemingly hopeless situation. For what David does here determined what was going to happen to him the rest of his life. This encounter at Ziklag was one of those pivotal points in David's life and in the lives of his men.
David could have committed suicide - but he didn't.
David could have turned to drink - but he didn't.
David could have started a fight - but he didn't.
Instead, the Bible tells us that David turned towards the LORD. Notice in verse 6 that the Bible says that David turned to Yahweh, His God. In the Hebrew it says that David turned to Yahweh, his 'elohiym (his God).
Our writer wants us to understand that David did not turn to just any god - to the god or gods of the Philistines or to any other false god. No, David turns to Yahweh. The God of the burning bush, the Good God of Creation, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. David turned towards the God who had anointed him to be the next King of Israel and who had been with him over the last 20+ years.
Those twenty plus years had seen David go from being King Saul's favorite soldier to being King Saul's number one enemy. Those twenty plus years had seen David go from being a young shepherd boy tending his sheep on the hillsides to being a mighty warrior who could hold his own in any battle regardless of it being against giants, Philistines or Amalekites.
David had matured physically, mentally and most of all spiritually. He recognized that before he did anything he needed to quieten himself down and get recharged. Recharged in the spirit of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. David knew that he had to spend a few moments in quiet time with the LORD. Perhaps it is here that David penned the words "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope you in God, for I will yet praise Him."
Perhaps he remembered the words that Job spoke during the time of his tragedy - " ... the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b)
All I know this morning is that David took the time to go to the LORD. He took a moment to remember who God is and how much God loves him. He took a moment to remind himself that he was completely in God's hands. He took a moment to remind himself who God - who Yahweh is and what it means to have a relationship with the God of the Universe.
What do we do during these types of moments? What do we do or who do we turn to when we lose our safe spaces - when life comes tumbling down all around us - where do we go for encouragement, strength or refuge? What part does God play in our lives? Does He play a part?
Did you happen to notice that our chapter follows the chapter with Saul in a very similar position? That was not by accident. Our writer wants us to discover the amazing contrast that exists between King Saul and David.
Saul knew that the armies of the Philistines were coming after him. He knew that in a matter of hours his kingdom, the lives of his family and especially his sons would be in the balance. If he didn't defeat the Philistines then it will mean an end to him, his family and his legacy. As the first King of Israel, he would go down in history as a failure. The dynasty of the House of King Saul would be finished; just a sad footnote in the annals of Israelite history.
Scriptures tell us that instead of going to the LORD, King Saul turned to a witch who he asked to serve as his medium. A witch. Is there any wonder that the next day King Saul loses the battle and the kingdom of Israel. Only heaven knows how different it would have been had Saul repented and turned to the LORD for help.
David's story is radically different. David goes to the LORD for encouragement. David goes and remembers God's Word and Promises. David goes to find rest, comfort and strength in the LORD.
What David did is exactly what we are invited to do. Life will knock us down. We will at times lose our safe space(s). Evil will knock us for a loop. When that happens let's not wallow in our pity or even in our pain. Let's go to the only One who can help us. Let's go to the Only One who can give us some strength, support and encouragement. Let us go to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. The LORD promises that He will be right there to hold us and to help us through such times.
II. Secondly, David Developed a Game Plan for Victory
After David spent some time with the LORD, he got his spiritual leaders together to see what they needed to do next. He wanted to get a game plan together that would enable them to rescue all their families and possessions.
One again, let's take note of what David did and didn't do. David didn't pull together his sergeant of arms. David didn't go into a planning session with his tacticians. David didn't do a quick check on his armory.
Instead, David begins to ask God questions.
+Shall I go after this band of terrorists?
+Shall I over take them - in other words - should we get ready to go right now?
If we had been there we might have been biting at the bit. We might have been saying - "Hey, David they are getting away. Let's at least try to get them back. Let's go after them, time is a wasting. We can pray and plan while we march. We can pray while we are getting ready to kill the lot of them for taking our families."
But exactly which direction did the terrorists go? Are we positive they went back south towards their territories? Are we sure they didn't continue on north or slide over to the west?
David will not march until he hears from the LORD. He doesn't go to a witch or to a medium but to one who wears the ephod (the holy dress) of the LORD. In other words he goes to the person God has called to lead them in worship and praise. He goes to those whom God had called as His spiritual leaders.
David knows that he is suppose to be the next king of Israel. David knows that he is the captain of an army of 600 battle tested warriors. David is confident and sure in his abilities and yet, David will not move until he hears from the LORD. David is not ready to go rogue or to go it all alone.
David is teaching his men a very important spiritual lesson. He is teaching them that the wisest course of action is constantly to pray and seek God's guidance and will. The wisest course of action is to consult the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Otherwise, it is very easy to miss God's will and as a result everything may be both ruined and lost forever.
Deep in his soul, David knew that without God's help they could never find these Amalekites nor could they ever hope to defeat them.
David knew what the Apostle Paul understood as he wrote these words to the Disciples at Ephesus:
"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
In other words, David knew that what was going around him had been orchestrated by the Evil One - the Devil. David knew that this attack had been done on purpose. He knew that there was a good chance that King Saul would be defeated by the Philistines and that the People of God would be in need of a new king. David knew that the Devil was already active in doing everything he could to destroy both King Saul and himself. For if the Devil could get rid of them both then the Promise Land would be his for the taking.
You see, when we get ambushed or tripped up you can almost count on it having been orchestrated by the Devil. Whether the Evil One uses us to set ourselves up or he orchestrates it with the help of others the fact is a lot of attacks in this life have his fingerprints. The Devil hits us hoping that we will either give up or do something foolish that will ruin our future chances of experiencing God's favor and blessing.
David understood all of this. That is why he strengthen himself in remembering God's Word, in giving God praise and in going to the LORD in prayer.
This morning, when we face defeat or when our space spaces are suddenly taken away where do we get our game plans for rescue or recovery? Who do we consult to start the turn around? Are we this morning, taking advantage of the wisdom and knowledge of God this morning?
III. Finally, David and His Men Go to Battle
In verses 8- 9 David got his answer. Go - Pursue - Over take them - Rescue
That was all David needed. He and 400 of his men set out. Two hundred were so tired, so grief stricken that they had to stay behind. David is not upset with them for he understands that they had been marching hard the last three days, they have just experienced their greatest fears and tragedy of their lives and they could not go a step further and so David grants them a well needed time out.
It did not take long for them to be assured of God's direction and guidance. Along the way they come across a dying Egyptian. Instead of just bypassing him the Bible tells us that they stopped. They rescued this poor man. They gave him some water, some food and waited until he was able to speak. David realized that this was not some random meeting. The LORD was leading them the right way. The LORD was giving them some vital information that they would need in order rescue their families.
Out of gratitude the man agrees to show David and his men exactly where the Amalekites would be located. He knows the routes that the Amalekites usually take on their raids and where they would stop to rest, recover and celebrate their successes.
So this man leads David and his army to where the Amalekites are scattered all over the countryside. They are busy celebrating. They are getting full of food and full of wine. They are in no shape to fight. On top of that they are probably exhausted after taking care of so many old people, women and children. Soldiers are not the best baby sitters and kidnapped people are not the easy to move around.
All of this makes them a perfect target for David's well disciplined soldiers. The Bible tells us that David and his men launched a full out assault. If you close your eyes you can see them rushing towards those Amalekites with their swords drawn and with only one thing in mind - getting their families back safe and sound. Each man is ready to lay down his life for his wife and children. Each man is ready to do whatever he has to do to make sure that they are rescued.
The Bible tells us that David and his men went to war. They fought the Amalekites all night, all the next morning, all the next afternoon and finally as it was getting dark the next day they were able to claim victory. David and his men were relentless, they were persistent, they were not going to give up and they were not going to suffer defeat. They had been encouraged by the LORD, they had been shown the way by the LORD and now they were going to bring everything to an end by the hand of the LORD. The only Amalekites that survived were those who had camels which enabled them to get away from David's foot soldiers.
This morning, there are some very important lessons that we can glean from this encounter:
+We see God in Action - He encouraged them, He showed them the way and He provided for them some vital inside information. God even protected their families as the Amalekites had kept everyone alive. That was not the normal way raiding parties acted. Usually they would kill the old and the young and take only the women who were beautiful or could bear children or make great slaves.
+David and his men had done their part - they had received God's encouragement, they had waited for God's answer, they had followed God's direction and they gone to battle. They had fought, fought some more and fought even some more. God had promised the victory but David and his men had to go out and secure it. It was a co-operative event - God and man together fighting evil.
All of this says a great deal to us this morning. The LORD wants us to win our spiritual battles. He wants to encourage us this year. He wants us to know His will. He wants to reveal His will to all of us. He wants to guide us along the paths of righteousness. But it will mean that we have to join in the fight for the victories. While some victories may easily fall into our laps the truth is many of them will only be won through blood, sweat and tears. They will only be won as we spend time unified in prayer, fasting, witnessing and living out the Christian Life of Holiness.
+We are going to have to fight for our families
-Our spouses do not belong to Satan. They belong to Jesus. But we are going to have to fight for them - we are going to have to saturate them with prayer and show them what it means to be a vibrant and victorious Christian in the 21st Century
-Our children/grandchildren do not belong to Satan. They belong to Jesus. But we are going to have to fight for them - asking the LORD to cover them with His protection and pour out His favor and anointing on them. We are going to have to have such a vibrant Christian Life that they eager to join us in loving the LORD with all our heart, mind and soul.
+We are going to have to fight for our friends.
-Our friends do not belong to Satan. They belong to Jesus. But we are going to have to fight for them. We are going to have to pray for them, share Jesus with them and live as God's Holy Examples. We are going to have to fast for them. We are going to have to encourage them, forgive them and be patient with them. We are going to have to stand in the gap for them in these last days.
+We are going to have to fight Evil in this world.
-We can't just hope things will get better some day or that one day the Rapture will come and take all of us "good" people away. We must realize that today, right now many billions of people would be left behind. Many of our neighbors, associates and even friends and family are not ready to meet Jesus. They are not ready to stand before the Judgment seat of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. They are not in a safe space spiritually. They are enslaved to sin and if things don't change they will spend eternity away from the LORD in a place called Hell. A place that they will never be able to leave.
-It is our job, our responsibility and our privilege to be a part of God's Rescue Team. We have to do our best to win the battle for and with them. Some of them are already caught in Satan's chains of sin, addiction and depression. Some of them don't know where to turn or even how to turn. We may be the only ones that are praying for them. We may be the only ones that are going before the Throne of God asking the Holy Spirit to come and convict them and cleanse them of their sins.
- Each Sunday morning when we spend time in prayer for the lost, for the non-churched we are actually doing battle. Each Sunday morning when we spend time in prayer seeking the LORD to help us to reach out to our community we are actually doing battle. We are engaging ourselves in doing our best to pull down the strongholds of evil and to bring about a Revival of God's Love, Mercy and Grace. We must follow up those prayers with action.
+We are going to have to fight for Ourselves - Our Own Mental, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Health
-The Devil is ready to attack us like he attacked David, his men and their families. He is ready to take away our Joy of Life, our Peace, our ability to Rejoice and Give Praise. He is ready to steal away all the time we want to set aside for Prayer and Bible Study. He wants to rob us of our time in Worship and Praise. He wants our lives to become a living hell here on earth.
-We must take time to be encouraged by the LORD. We must take time to get God's clearest directions and guidance. Then we must be ready to go to battle.
And I believe this morning we can and with God's help we will be able to turn our defeats into victories and celebrations.
Life will knock us down. The Devil will do all he can to defeat us and rob us of our safe spaces. We must always remember that the Devil is a liar, a thief and a murderer. He has chosen to be that way since His Fall. But it is also true that the Devil can be stopped. Evil can be cast out and cast aside. We can be rescued and redeemed. The same Jesus who died on the Cross is the same Jesus who can help us bring about a Revival in our hearts, in the hearts of our families and in our communities.
David and His Men lost their safe space. Their families lost their safe space. With God they regained it and much more.
Today, the world is telling the Church that we have lost our safe space. No longer are we looked up to and admired. No longer is the welcome mat out for us in government, in school and in many work places. Like Ziklag, the Devil and his demons have invaded our country and taken our people hostile. They have enslaved their minds, hearts and souls.
As God's Church we have several choices:
+We can commit Spiritual suicide - we can choose to listen to those who want us to go away, to close our doors and to become a pile of spiritual ashes
+We can Abandon Our Mission - we can choose to go somewhere and die quietly in a corner out of the way no longer being effective in anyone's life.
+We can Start Blaming and Fighting with One Another - we can look for someone to blame and we can turn on one another.
OR:
+We can choose to go to the LORD
-For encouragement and strength
-For a way to get back our victory and our people
-Be ready to fight the long fight but know that we will win
Life will knock us down - what we choose to do will make all the difference in the lives of ourselves, our families and our community.
David chose to get up. David choose to get up and it is amazing that right after this battle the Tribes of Judah approached him to become their King. Later on the other tribes of Israel did the same thing. From one victory to the next the LORD led David. So, too will the LORD lead us.
Closing Hymn/Open Altar/Benediction -
- Victory in Jesus
