12 December 2023 - From distress to joy

1 Samuel 30:8-9(NLT) Then David asked the LORD, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the LORD told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor.

The Amalekites had invaded Philistine country and destroyed Ziklag. They also took the women and children captive. When David and his 600 men returned to Ziklag – the city which had become their home – expecting to be reunited with their families, they found the city burned and their loved ones missing. After being reassured by the Lord that he would overpower the enemy, David attacked them and recovered all that the Amalekites carried off, including his two wives. The Lord graciously answered David regardless of how many times he inquired. His response to David came without delay, and He even replied in more detail than David had asked – he would recover all.

So David and the 600 men with him, went ahead. The force of this statement can only be appreciated by comparing it to an earlier one: Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him.

1 Samuel 30:6(AMPC) David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

What a change! The anger of his men was stilled; they were again ready. David sought God’s guidance and received an assuring response.

Psalm 112:7(NLT) They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

2 Samuel 22:7(NLT) “But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.”

Psalm 34:18(ESV) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 30:11(NLT) You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

Philippians 4:6-7(NIV) Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Thankfully, God has provided a way out of worry - it is through prayer. When you turn your worries into prayers, it's not that your worries go away, but they are transformed from destructive worry to constructive concern. You've now handed over your heavy worry load to the Lord, and He has control over everything.

I conclude with this phrase from www.Ilovepsalms.com: “God will turn this valley of tears into a city of everlasting joy.”