1 Samuel 30:6 Commentary
The Power of Faith in the Face of Adversity
In 1 Samuel 30:6, David finds himself in a difficult situation. His followers, the people of Ziklag, have turned against him, and his own people are speaking of stoning him. It is in this moment of crisis that we see David's faith and trust in God shine through.
The Back Story
To understand the context of this passage, let's look back at what led up to this moment. David and his men had been living in Ziklag, a city in the land of the Philistines, for some time. During this time, David and his men had been raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, and had taken their livestock and goods as spoils of war. However, the Amalekites had counter-attacked and had taken the city of Ziklag, burning it to the ground and taking the women and children captive.
David's Response
When David and his men arrived at Ziklag, they found the city in ruins and their loved ones gone. The men were grief-stricken and angry, and they began to speak of stoning David, holding him responsible for the tragedy that had befallen them. It is in this moment of crisis that David turns to God, and we see his faith and trust in Him shine through.
The Power of Faith
But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6, NKJV)
In this moment of despair, David chooses to strengthen himself in the Lord. He turns to God, and draws strength and comfort from Him. This is not a natural response, but it is a response that is rooted in faith. David's faith in God is what gives him the strength to keep going, even in the face of adversity.
Lessons for Us
So what can we learn from David's example?
- Faith is not the absence of fear, but the presence of trust. David was clearly afraid, but he chose to trust in God anyway.
- God is our source of strength. In our darkest moments, we can turn to God and find strength in Him.
- Faith is not a feeling, but a choice. David chose to strengthen himself in the Lord, even when everything around him seemed to be falling apart.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 30:6 reminds us that faith is not the absence of fear, but the presence of trust. When we strengthen ourselves in the Lord, we can find the strength to keep going, even in the face of adversity.
