I Samuel 30:8
‘And David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this band of raiders? Will I overtake them?” And He said to him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue everyone”‘.
David is back on track with the Lord and God is answering and helping. I believe David strayed by aligning himself and his army with a foreign king by seeking to fight against Israel. I believe the cost of this transgression was his camp being raided and his family taken. David was in a low place; some of the people spoke of stoning him. Today's verse has David going about things the right way.
David himself spoke of his difficult state by being on the run in I Samuel 26:19b "they have driven me out today so that I would have no share in the inheritance of the LORD". It's like a believer being disfellowshipped at church. Paul says in I Corinthians 5:5, "to deliver such a one to Satan for destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." These are tough years for David. Maybe like Moses' 40 years prior to his calling.
We will have times of testing. He seeks to wean us off unhealthy dependancies. I can recall always seeking to have a good relationship with my bosses. God wanted my confidence to be in him, not a boss, so he sent me an egotistical one. He was so confident in his power. I felt as though I was in trouble. Then was of his bosses spoke of me positively to him and he squirmed uncomfortably. He knew he had to leave me alone. This all happened in years.
God wants us to fear Him. Some of the higher level lessons put us in the fire for refinement. David was a warrior. He was used to using this skill. Saul was seeking to kill him, so he got the bad idea of aligning with a foreign king to fight against Saul. While this is some sense to that, there is none when it comes to fight against the Israelites.
David was disfellowshipped from his people. So, he was a bit off. We will have our times when we are off. We aren't in sin, but just in uncomfortable settings. At those times we need to draw near to God and stay in His Word. Be careful for opportunities that arise. One arose for David and it was right up his alley, war. Things will present themselves that move us, but they aren't of God. I Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Test all things, hold fast to the good". Many things look like good ideas on the surface. After some digging, the rottenness shows itself. Ask God for wisdom and for doors to open or close. Ask Him for peace or a lack there of.
We need to be patient when seeking God. These things take time. To be hasty is foolish. When we feel rushed or pressured, this is not of God. It doesn't mean no, just not now. The foolish will push us, just tell them not now. They may storm off in a huff. That may have made the decision for us.
David was in a rough place. He felt bad for his attempt to fight Israel. God knew he needed confirmation. He did so and blessed his plans.
Lord, thank You that You guide us in the right ways. Help us to wait on Your. We Thank You for Your faithfulness.