Sermon: Rock Bottom Is Not A Final Destination

Sermon: Rock bottom Is Not A Final Destination

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-8 “Three 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. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more. David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. 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. Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”.

Introduction – After a long disappointing journey, without victory or spoils for their trouble, David and his mighty men hit Rock bottom. Hitting rock bottom is an overwhelming experience characterized by deep despair and hopelessness. Individuals often feel trapped in a dark pit, unable to escape despite their efforts. In 1 Samuel 30, David found himself in extreme distress when his city Ziklag was burned, his family kidnapped by Amalekites, and his own men spoke of stoning him. Despite losing everything and facing mutiny, David "strengthened himself in the Lord his God" by turning towards His God and turning away from despair. This act involved remembering God’s past faithfulness, focusing on His promises, and engaging in faith-filled self-talk, which led to his recovery of all that was lost. "Rock bottom" is not a final destination, but rather a solid foundation for rebuilding life with greater strength, purpose, and resilience. It represents a turning point where, after everything has fallen apart, you have the opportunity to create a new, more authentic life.

When you hit rock bottom you must avoid the temptation of pointing fingers. Since David was the leader, his men gave in to pointing an accusing finger towards David. They fail to consider that David himself was in pain and overwhelmed by adversity. David returned to find Ziklag burned and their family’s taken into captivity. The distress was so severe that his own men, in their grief, threatened to stone him. The act of strengthening for David began by slowing down enough to think. How did I get into this mess? What did I do the last time things fell apart? David inquired of the Lord. Instead of sinking into despair or retaliating, David turned to God for strength. This was an active, internal process of trusting God’s power to know the next step and to give direction. Focusing on God caused David to remember God's promises, to remember his calling as king, and to remember his past deliverances. His memories gave him confidence despite the dire circumstances. The Bible emphasizes remembering as a crucial spiritual discipline, calling believers to recall God’s covenant, commandments, and mighty acts to foster faith, gratitude, and obedience. David started remembering God's mighty acts, God’s past deliverance and God's unfailing provisions. (Deut. 8:2, 11). Then he remembered position as a covenant child and a keeper of God’s commandments. Rock bottom is a good place to turn to God and turn away from your crisis. Since death and life in the power of the tongue, David started talking to himself and speaking life.

David famously talked to himself (specifically his soul) in the Psalms to encourage himself, rebuke himself, or remind himself of God's faithfulness.

Psalm 42:11 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

Psalm 103:1-2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits".

David told himself to get up and look up, then he commands his soul to bless the Lord and not forget His benefits. While in Ziklag, his men lost hope and threatened to stone him, David encouraged himself in the Lord. David speaks to himself about praising the Lord because God is still worthy to be praised. David encouraged himself by speaking words of faith to himself, rather than listening to the negative talk of others or his own fear. Faith filled words contain power to strengthen the soul. This spiritual strengthening enabled David to inquire of the Lord, pursue the Amalekites, and recover everything when he was at rock bottom. This passage highlights that, even in total isolation and loss, one can find divine strength to move forward. David finds the secret to encouragement when he was tired, hungry, homeless, family was gone and he did not know where they were or which way to go.