Rock Bottom Series

Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#11]

ROCK BOTTOM

1 Samuel 30:1-31

Introduction:

In this series, we have talked about hitting “rock bottom”. This is not the 1st time that we have discussed David hitting “rock bottom”; but at this point in David’s life, he was once again at “rock bottom”. David had been living with the enemy; and it appeared that he and his men were going to have to fight the Israelites. God intervened and the Philistine leaders would not allow David and his men to follow Achish into battle.

1 Samuel 30:1-6

1. The signs of hitting rock bottom.

David definitely hit rock bottom at this point. What is the evidence of that?

It is a sign of hitting rock bottom when…

* Your family is in danger.

David’s wives and his men’s wives and families had been taken. It is bad enough that Ziklag had been burned down; but now his family and men’s families were in danger. Satan loves to attack our families. If he can’t destroy you, maybe he can destroy your family.

It is a sign of hitting rock bottom when…

* You are distraught.

David and his men cried to the point that they were weak. They had all that they could handle.

It is a sign of hitting rock bottom when…

* Your life is being threatened.

These men that had followed David through many different situations had all that they could handle. They began to talk about stoning David to death.

1 Samuel 30:6-8

2. The choice.

David had to make a choice between fearing the men and situation; or changing his direction. Notice at the end of this verse that it says, “But David found strength in the Lord his God”. David chose to move off of rock bottom by finding strength in God. When you are strengthened by God, you will not have fear.

David had Abiathar bring him the ephod so that David could ask God what to do. David asked if he should pursue them and God said yes. David had not asked God for direction in quite a while; but he wised up and got things going in the right direction.

1 Samuel 30:15-20

3. The signs of recovery.

David gives us signs of recovery.

It is a sign of recovery when…

* You seek God’s direction.

David sought God’s direction if he should pursue the enemy; and God answered.

It is a sign of recovery when…

* You put action to God’s direction.

David and his men pursued the Amalekites. 200 of David’s men stayed behind because they were so exhausted. So, David and 400 of his men fought them for a day. David recovered everything the enemy had taken including his 2 wives.

1 Samuel 30:21-31

It is a sign of recovery when…

* You share the victory with others.

Some of the 400 men that were fighting did not want to share any of the plunder with the 200 men that did not go fight. David quickly let them know that this was not going to happen. Instead, David shared the plunder with all 600 men plus the elders of Judah, plus the cities that he and his men had visited.

Conclusion:

If you are at rock bottom today, you can change your direction. Recovery is right around the corner if you will accept it.