Denver Seminary

In the journey of our Christian faith, we’ll definitely face a litmus test moment concerning our character, value, ability to make a right decision in a time of crisis. When you find yourself between a rock and hard place, what will you do? David was in so many circumstances like this, I would like us to focus on one this time: “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all people is grieved, every man for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).

David was not yet king at this time. He was running for his life from Saul who determined to kill him. He was living cave to cave, depending on the gracious offer and acceptance of heathen rulers in the region. He had only a few supporters who chose to suffer with him and wanted him to be their leader. While David and his men were away, the Amalekites invaded Ziklag, attacked and burned it with fire. The wives, sons and daughters of David and his men were taken captive. How low can one get in life? As if living as a fugitive is not enough, David lost his family and the family of the people he loved to captivity. He was distressed and was at the verge of being stoned to death in the very hands of the people who sacrificed everything to protect him. If you were David, what would you do? “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”