Living in Ziklag - Part 8 – Asking God

By John Dubois - February 20, 2012

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

It’s time to ask God.

David is overwhelmed with the consequences of his double life, but he has finally turned to God to find strength, and he asks God two questions,  “Shall I pursue this raiding party?  Will I overtake them?”.

David really only has two options –either give up and get stoned by his men, or try to rescue their families from their enemies.  So, strictly speaking, David’s question isn’t a tactical question.  It’s not about “how” or even what to do.  Pursuit is really the only logical course of action.  But David asks, “will it work?”.  In other words he is asking, “is there any hope?”  “Will it make a difference?  Will it matter?”

One of the most dangerous aspects of a long time “living in Ziklag” is the growing perception that it is all hopeless.  There is no way to escape the duplicity, the addictions, the darkness.  Our enemy whispers that there is no hope anyway – why keep trying? 

But David asks God, and the God of hope answers with, “Yes!”. 

God gives David a command and a promise.  He tells David, “Pursue them!”, and “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”  David doesn’t know all of the details yet, but he’s got a job to do – pursue.  It’s going to be hard and arduous work – but there is a promise of certain success.

Are you struggling with a sin?  A pattern of sin – like David in Ziklag?  Don’t believe the enemy – it’s not hopeless.  Obey God’s command to pursue the path he tells you take – and trust that he will bring success in the process.  God is the God of hope – but there’s work for us to do.  Exhausting work.