Difficulties
Where To Go When In Need
Looking out through sleepless eyes, David fought feelings of exhaustion. Tears stained his face, and the hope to continue evaded him. He wanted to give up—turn his back on everything and walk away. This time the pain seemed too much for him to handle. For years he had waged a mental and physical battle against King Saul, who was intent on his destruction.
With every turn he made, Saul's army found out about it. No sooner had he set up camp than word reached him that the king's army was nearing the stronghold. Would it ever end? Finally in desperation, David struck an agreement with the Philistines. There was safety in numbers, and David knew it. Therefore, his band of loyal followers found shelter in the Philistine nation. (1 Samuel 27:1)
Nothing comes without cost, and David was forced to fight for the Philistines, a nation that had been a dire enemy to him and those he loved in Israel. As providence would have it, however, David found favor in the eyes of the Philistine king and was given the entire city of Ziklag for his home.
For a time, life evened out for David. It was good to rise in the morning knowing that the day would not be spent running for his life. It was in Ziklag that David's family and friends found safety and peace of mind, but these were short-lived.
The Philistines were soon engaged in a mammoth battle with Israel, and David was forced to rethink his loyalty. Should he uphold his treaty with the Philistine king who had given him refuge from King Saul or reverse his position and fight for Israel? He decided he would go into battle fighting for the ones who had sheltered him. This meant betraying his first love—the nation of Israel.
The Philistine king realized the seriousness of the situation and stopped David from entering the battle. With the memory of David's defeat of Goliath, the Philistine warriors were not willing to go into battle with him. Therefore, David returned to Ziklag. However, in his absence a fierce enemy had struck. The Amalekites attacked Ziklag, burning it and taking all the women and children captive. No one was left. Overcome with fear and grief, Scripture tells us, "David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices [to God] and wept until there was no strength in them to weep" (1 Samuel 30:4).
There will be a time when each of us is forced to grovel with disappointment and fear. Failure, the death of a loved one, a nagging illness, feelings of rejection, a broken relationship, a rebellious son or daughter, or the choking grip of temptation can leave us crying out to God: "Why, Lord, have You allowed this to happen? I'm Your child!"
God does not leave us comfortless. (Isaiah 51:12) He always comes with words of hope and mercy. His goal in allowing hurt is not to break us but to teach us to draw close to Him in times of heartache and extreme pressure.
David was the anointed king of Israel, but he was left to hide out in caves rather than serve in palaces. You may think this seems unreasonable and that God should have done something sooner to relieve his stress. Trial is a masterful teacher. The Lord knew his servant was in need of intensive training for the job he was called to do. It was in the desperate times that David learned how to cry out to God for mercy and help. He had to face helplessness head on and realize his only help was in the Lord God.
Ziklag was a turning point for David. It was here that God ended David's running and rushing. The city was burned. All that David owned and loved was gone. His cries were ceaseless and reminiscent of those he prayed in Psalm 142: "I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Thou didst know my path . . . Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul" (vs. 1-4).
From the depths of despair, we see a glow of hope building within David. Nothing is more powerful than the hope God brings. The writer of Hebrews tells us: "There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . . For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need" (4:13-16).
The throne of God was the one place David could go when he was hurting. There he found total acceptance. No one loved him like God. No one understood his sorrow and loneliness the way the Lord did. God listened to his complaint. When trouble came, the Lord provided wisdom and direction. David could turn to His friends, but none comforted him the way God did.
Jesus is our hope for the vacant and lonely times. When we face trouble, He is our protection and strength.
While Satan seeks to discourage and weaken you, God is set on training you for the spiritual battles you are sure to face in life. He calls you to finish the course He has set before you. The ruins of Ziklag represented the approaching victory. This was the catalyst God used to motivate David to cry out in desperation, "Help me, Lord! I can't do this on my own. I can't bear the weight of the burden without You!"
Once David's focus was turned to God, he found strength and guidance. "'Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?' And [God] said to him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and you shall surely rescue all" (1 Samuel 30:8).
God's throne of grace is a place of intense love and authority. His majesty is ever present. It is a place of truth, hope, assurance, and confidence. It is not a throne of condemnation, but one of mercy. We have access to His throne because of Jesus Christ. His life within us through the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to bow before the God of the universe and seek His counsel.
We are cleansed of sin because of Christ's finished work at Calvary. When we come to Him, we can lay our lives before His altar, confessing our need and dependence on Him. This was the desire of David's heart. Sorrow and anguish of soul were released for only the Lord of heaven to hear and take notice. And God heard David's prayer.
David pursued the Amalekites and almost annihilated them. He rescued his family and all that belonged to him and the men who served at his side. One of the lowest points in David's life became a stepping stone for future strength and blessing. Not long after this, David received word that Saul had been killed. His days of running and hiding had come to an end.
When you are at the end of your rope, clinging to what seems to be the last thread of hope, don't be afraid to cry out to God. There is a future beyond Ziklag. There is life and blessing waiting for you when you place your trust in the One who has the power to save and take care of your every need.
The principles behind the victory at Ziklag are easy to apply: First, when you are hurting or find yourself in a situation that is beyond your ability to cope, cry out to God. Tell Him what you are facing and pray for His wisdom and the assurance of His presence. We often forget, especially in times of trials, that God is in control. In fact, there is never a moment when He is not God over all things.
Second, recall how He has delivered you in the past. Ask Him to help you remember a time when you needed Him and He provided strength, wisdom, and guidance. Third, reaffirm your position in Christ. You are God's beloved child. This means He has given you a place of royalty, regardless of what has taken place in your life. Jesus has dealt with every sin and forgiven you. Finally, go forward in faith and trust in the Lord.
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