Living in Ziklag - Part 7 - Find Strength in the LORD

By John Dubois - February 13, 2012

I’ve come to regard the phrase “Living in Ziklag” as a symbolic reference to living a dark and deceptive two-faced life. 

Find strength in the LORD.

At David’s darkest hour – at what we will soon discover is the end of his 18 months of duplicity – for the first time in a long, long time, the name of the LORD is mentioned. 

David is at the end of himself.  It’s all a disaster and it looks like he has lost everything of value – everything that he counted precious.  His family, his future – even his friends are now threatening to stone him.  And there, from that place, the text reads, “But David found strength in the LORD his God.”

It’s not a new phrase to David.  He has been discouraged before – and his best friend Jonathan had come and helped him find strength in God (1 Samuel 23:16).  Jonathan reminded David to “not be afraid”.  He reminded him of God’s plan and purposes – they were going to be fulfilled regardless of the opposition David was facing.  God would keep his promises.  And Jonathan too made promises to be a faithful friend. 

Perhaps it was those thoughts that strengthened David.  It’s not uncommon for the followers of God to call upon him from places of deepest weakness.  And, those who love God, have discovered him faithful in those darkest hours.

God’s faithfulness, his stability, his control over history, his undefeatable purposes and his inexhaustible love for us, and the forgiveness we have before him in Christ – these are the truths – maybe the only truths – that can bring us strength when we reach the end of our selves.

David comes finds strength in God, and from a broken and desperate heart asks God what to do next.  It’s an exciting moment – God is the hero – He always is.

David asks God, fear mixed with hope, “Shall I pursue this raiding party?  Will I overtake them?”

In a sense, it is the question, “Is there any hope?”

With God, there is always hope.