The Road to recovery
When David was at a crossroads and lost his momentum to continue after the Amalikites burned his home and captured his wives and the wives and children of the men under his leadership, he retraced his steps. David's mind must have resurfaced snapshots and moments of past victories. There are glorious moments, such as when the Prophet Samuel entered David’s father’s home and inquired about him, then anointed David in front of his brothers, who had always rejected him (1 Samuel 16), and the next moment reminded him of God’s goodness when God brought him to the palace to play the Lyre for Saul, giving him a short glimpse of where David would reign (1 Samuel 16). Another moment must have surged through with urgency to resurrect his dry and weary spirit, the time David thought he was running an errand for his father, but it turned out to be the day God announced him to the army of Israel and the Philistines, the day he defeated Goliath with a slingshot and a stone (1 Samuel 17:41).
David had to have reflected on his time as a shepherd boy and how God protected, kept, and blessed him with his presence. David must have taken heart to find courage again like Psalms 127:13-14 explains: “I would have lost heart unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (NKJV). Because in his moment of anguish, grief, and heartbreak, he put on his ephod and cried out to the only one who could answer. “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” 1 Samuel 30:8 (NKJV). God promised him: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” 1 Samuel 30:9 (NKJV). I believe for many of us who have felt stuck, lost, and shipwrecked that, God is giving us an answer… “PURSUE!” Take back everything the enemy took from you and then some more because when we recover what was stolen, there are almost always spoils, increases, and more than we had before at the enemy’s camp. I encourage you today to recover everything the enemy stole from you the past few years and don’t settle for just that. Take back what he stole from your bloodline and wipe him clean.
God said the enemy’s assignment is to steal, kill, and destroy, yet in the same sentence, God shares his plan for us. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 10:10 (ESV). May you align yourself with God’s plan and endure the road to recovery. Here are a few pointers.
Fast and pray- David inquired of the Lord after he consecrated himself and put on his ephod. Prepare yourself by putting aside distractions and seeking his presence (1 Samuel 30:7).
Take back your authority- The same men who blamed David and wanted to harm him fell back into his leadership after David regained his confidence and direction from the Lord (1 Samuel 30:9).
Strengthen yourself- rest, eat well, and prepare your body for war. David did not eat or drink for three days on his journey to the Amilkites camp, but he made it a point to stop and eat to regain his strength before his pursuit (1 Samuel 30:11-13).
I decree that you will pursue and possess the land, all the spoils in it, in Jesus’ name.
Be Encouraged,
Love Monica
