Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
(1 Samuel 30:1-6 ESV)
David had settled in to a new lifestyle in the Negev - leading a band of robbers who raided and destroyed pagan cities. He attempted to join the rank of the Philistines as they headed to battle against Israel, but God turned him back, just in time to find this. His new home and family and possessions were gone. Gone also was the trust of his motley crew of followers. They as well had nothing. No longer would his cunning mind, ability to win people over, or warrior talents do him any good. There was only one place to turn: the LORD. How much do we need to lose before that is the ONLY place we have to or want to go? What skills - be they physical, mental, or social, do we rely upon instead of Him? Don't wait to lose it all before you trust him with all.
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