Daily Devotional for Thursday, August 17

Amalekite’s Invasion

“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep,” 1 Samuel 30:4.

The young lady sat on the chair in the middle of the room with what was left of her cherished possessions.  A couple of little dolls, a trinket or two, a mirror, some drawings with wet edges and smudges.  My partner and I ripped sheetrock from the walls of the flooded house.  The rising waters had lifted and tossed all the furniture.  Most of the house surrounding her would be repaired over time but for now her whole world had changed in a morning. In times like this anguish is on every corner and tears are the order of the day. 

David and his men had settled into a routine since Achish of Gath had given him the stronghold of Ziklag.  They raided often, out in the countryside, comfortable in the knowledge that the ones they loved were safe at Ziklag.  They destroyed homes, killed men, women, and children.  This tragic loss of life was the necessary price to pay for the safety of their own loved ones.  Then the Amalekites struck Ziklag and all the tragedy they had inflicted on others became very real in their own lives.  By the time the tears stopped flowing, David’s men had decided he was responsible and even spoke of stoning him.  David lifted his eyes to his God, the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Jesus sent the comforter to all who believe on His name. It is a token of our inheritance, the salvation we will receive when he appears.  In that day, our savior will wipe away all the tears and the wars will cease.  There will be no more sorrow and no more pain (Revelation 21:4). All of those things will be behind us

THOUGHT: I will take comfort from the Holy Spirit inside me today and look forward to the future I’ve been promised.

David Thompson