1 Samuel 30 - FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

1 Samuel 30

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH,

As a young man, film director Robert Flaherty spent many months in the far north looking for iron ore and cod. He found neither, but he did shoot 70,000 feet of film in his travels. Someone encouraged him to edit the film and make a documentary, which Flaherty spent weeks doing. But just as he finished, a match from his cigarette dropped among the celluloid, consuming the entire film and burning Flaherty badly. His response to the disaster was a determination to return to the far north and make a film of Eskimo life “that people will never forget.” He did just that, and the result was the classic 1922 documentary, Nanook of the North.

Today in the Word, July 19, 1993 http://www.bible.org/illus/t/t-61.htm#TopOfPage

Flaherty went from tragedy to triumph.

It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father’s workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. “Someday Father,” said Louis, “I want to be a harness-maker, just like you.” “Why not start now?” said the father. He took a piece of leather and drew a design on it. “Now, my son,” he said, “take the hole-puncher and a hammer and follow this design, but be careful that you don’t hit your hand.” Excited, the boy began to work, but when he hit the hole-puncher, it flew out of his hand and pierced his eye! He lost the sight of that eye immediately. Later, sight in the other eye failed. Louis was now totally blind. A few years later, Louis was sitting in the family garden when a friend handed him a pine cone. As he ran his sensitive fingers over the cone, an idea came to him. He became enthusiastic and began to create an alphabet of raised dots on paper so that the blind could feel and interpret what was written.

Thus, Louis Braille opened up a whole new world for the blind—all because of an accident!

Bits and Pieces, June, 1990, pp. 23-4 http://www.bible.org/illus/t/t-61.htm#TopOfPage

Louis Braille went from tragedy to triumph.

The bitter news of Dawson Trotman’s drowning swept like cold wind across Schroon Lake to the shoreline. Eyewitnesses tell of the profound anxiety, the tears, the helpless disbelief in the faces of those who now looked out across the deep blue water. Everyone’s face except one—Lila Trotman, Dawson’s widow. As she suddenly walked upon the scene a close friend shouted, “Oh, Lila ... He’s gone. Dawson’s gone!” To that she replied in calm assurance the words of Psalm 115:3: ‘But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

All of the anguish, the sudden loneliness that normally consumes and cripples those who survive did not invade that woman’s heart. Instead, she leaned hard upon her sovereign Lord, who had once again done what He pleased. Starting Over by Charles R. Swindoll, Multnomah Press, 1977, p. 67 http://www.bible.org/illus/t/t-61.htm#TopOfPage

Lila Troutman went from tragedy to triumph.

There will always be tragedies in our lives.

Job 5:7 - Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

There will always be a right way and a wrong way to handle tragedy. The right way of handling tragedy keeps one in touch with God. The wrong way of handling tragedy is without God. Handling tragedy without God leads to bitterness, failure, and perhaps, more tragedy.

This morning we want to consider an event in the life of David and find David experiencing one of the bitterest tragedies of his life. We can learn much from David, as he shows us how to move from tragedy to triumph.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

PURSUIT - DAVID FOLLOWING - Vss. 9-15

PROVIDENCE - DAVID FULFILLED - Vss. 16-20

PRIZES - DAVID'S FAIRNESS - Vss. 21-25

BACKGROUND

1 Samuel 27:1-4 - David had been pursued by King Saul for a long time and had grown weary of it. He went over to the enemy's side.

David would make raids, kill everyone, and lie about where he had gone. This gave Achish the impression that David was attacking his own people and causing a separation between he and Israel.

1 Samuel 27:12 - And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

David requested of Achish a place to live, and Achish gave him the down of Ziklag.

The time came for a showdown between Israel and the Philistines. When the Philistines gathered together, David was with Achish. The other Philistine Lords balked and David and his men were sent home.

I see God's hand in this. David did not have to fight his own people, so David would not be blamed for the death of Saul.

Also, David got home just in time to end up rescuing those who were taken into captivity.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

Vss. 1-2 - The Amalekites had invaded Ziklag. With all the men off to war, Ziklag was defenseless. Everything of value was taken, including the women and children, who could be sold as slaves. The city was burned.

Vs. 3 - Imagine the shock when David and his men came over a hill, anticipating family coming out to meet them. Instead they saw smoldering ash and found nobody left.

· Very often tragedy blind-sides us.

· When we least expect it, tragedy will strike.

· The pregnancy that suddenly ends in a still-born birth

· The husband that commits suicide

· The divorce papers served that seem to come out of nowhere

· The sudden loss of a job

· An accident that leaves a loved one or a good friend dead

· The child who becomes increasingly rebellious

We never know when tragedy will come home to us. Some recent examples include the terrible fires out west, recent hurricanes, terrorist attacks in Iraq, and the bombings in London.

We are not exempt from tragedy.

Vss. 4-5 - David and his men, mature and brave soldiers, just cried until they cried no more! David knew how his men felt. His wives were taken captive.

It is appropriate to cry and also appropriate to remember that God can get us past the tears of any tragedy.

Psalm 30:5 - For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Vs. 6 - If the current tragedy weren't bad enough, David became the scapegoat for his men's anger.

Can you imagine some of the things these men might have said?

"It was David who refused to kill Saul when he had the chance."

"It was David who joined us up with the Philistines so that we weren't home when the Amalekites came."

"It's all David's fault!"

And the Scripture tells us why they were ready to stone David.

They were all grieved. When we grieve greatly we don't think clearly. When we don't think clearly we will say things that we are sorry for.

You can understand why David was greatly distressed.

His city was destroyed.

His men's families had all been taken captive.

His wives were among the captives.

And now his men want to stone him! I'd be greatly distressed to.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

1 Samuel 30:6 - but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

David did not always do what was right. Some of the things that he did in life were questionable at best.

But when push came to shove, David knew where to turn. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God!

When tragedy strikes, where do you go first for help?

Do you go to a wife or husband?

Do you go to a good friend?

Do you go to a brother or a sister?

Do you go to the pastor?

The first person we should always go to for strength is the Lord our God!

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

And hear David's testimony from another time of trial in his life.

Psalm 3:1-6 - Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and

the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

David got help in the person of God - who He is!

We get help in the person of Christ - who He is!

Vss. 7-8 - David asked for the ephod that was part of the priest's clothing. It was used to help determine God's will.

In other words, David inquired of God. He got His wisdom from God.

David asked if they should pursue the Amalakites. The answer was yes, and all would be recovered.

I am reminded of two things. First of all, when all seems lost, all is not necessarily lost.

Secondly when all seems lost, and I don't know where to turn, I need to inquire of him.

James 1:5-8 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

PURSUIT - DAVID FOLLOWING - Vss. 9-15

When we pray for guidance and God gives it, we need to follow God's will. Not only was David following after the enemy, but David was also following God's directions.

As a pastor I've done some counseling in my time.

I've discovered something. Godly counsel doesn't work if it isn't followed. With God's help many problems could have been solved if people had just obeyed God.

Vss. 9-15 - Why was this slave sick? God needed him to help David. When he was too sick to travel the owner ditched him. Food and drink revived him!

God will put all sorts of people in your life just at the right time to meet your needs.

And God will put you in the right place at the right time to help provide for the needs of others.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

PURSUIT - DAVID FOLLOWING - Vss. 9-15

PROVIDENCE - DAVID FULFILLED - Vss. 16-20

Vss. 16-20 - Think for a moment. David was outnumbered. David and his men were exhausted, yet God in his providence provided the victory!

I love the phrase at the end of verse 19, "David recovered all.”

Not all victories are as obvious as this one. Sometimes we see victory take place even though circumstances stay the same or get worse.

"Can a young marine, body shattered by the weaponry of modern warfare, rebound and turn personal defeat into personal victory?"

Lt. Clebe McClary recounts his courageous story of rebuilding his devastated life. During his tour of duty in Vietnam He suffered the loss of one eye, his left arm, and subsequently underwent 33 operations to retain usage of the rest of his body.

Today Clebe McClary is in the service of the Lord's Army, traveling the world over, attesting to personal faith in Jesus Christ. His life shows that he genuinely embodies a personal vow which he took upon entering the Marines: Any mission assigned will be accomplished in a superior manner, no matter what the obstacles.'" A Treasury of Bible Illustrations, Compiled by Ted Pyle and John Todd, ©1995 by AMG International Inc. Chattanooga, TN, Pages 85-86

What is the secret of Victory in the Life? It is dependence upon the work of God through His Spirit in our lives!

Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

I am becoming more and more convinced that unless God does it, I can't do it!

An old man once said, that It took him forty years to learn three simple things. The first was that he could not do anything to save himself; the second was that God did not expect him to; and the third was, that Christ had done it all, and all he had to do was to accept the accomplished fact. When it comes to Holy-Spirit filled living, and the grace of God, always keep this little saying in your hearts and minds:

YOU CAN'T. GOD NEVER SAID YOU COULD.

HE CAN; HE ALWAYS SAID HE WOULD!

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

PURSUIT - DAVID FOLLOWING - Vss. 9-15

PROVIDENCE - DAVID FULFILLED - Vss. 16-20

PRIZES - DAVID'S FAIRNESS - Vss. 21-25

Vss. 21-25 - Some were too weak to go with David.

Some wanted to disqualify the weak from

getting any of the spoils.

David proclaimed that the ones who stayed with the stuff, would get their reward.

That encourages me.

God gives rewards not just to missionaries and pastors, but to all those who "stay with the stuff".

1 Corinthians 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

We can pray.

We can give.

We can encourage.

We can witness.

We can do projects to help within our ability.

We can teach.

We can stay by the stuff!

We will be rewarded.

PROBLEM - DAVID FORLORN - Vss. 1-6a

PERSON - DAVID FINDING (HELP FROM GOD) - Vs. 6b-8

PURSUIT - DAVID FOLLOWING - Vss. 9-15

PROVIDENCE - DAVID FULFILLED - Vss. 16-20

PRIZES - DAVID'S FAIRNESS - Vss. 21-25