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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Winning back that which is lost” To win back that which is lost means to fight and retrieve one’s bona fide property. We shall reflect on the fact that to win back that which is lost requires the enablement and guidance of the Lord.

In 1 Samuel 30, after discovering that their city of Ziklag had been destroyed and their families kidnapped by the Amalekites, David and his men, facing despair and threats of mutiny, found strength in the Lord. David inquired of the Lord, received divine guidance, and then led a successful pursuit, rescuing all the captives and recovering all the stolen possessions. Upon return, David established a new law ensuring that everyone, whether they fought in the battle or stayed behind with the supplies, would receive an equal share of the spoils of victory. 

Beloved in the Lord, David has taught us that when we depend on God for strength and direction, we shall be victorious in regaining that which is lost, according to His will. We are told, “When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:3-6) We usually break down and despair in the face of calamity and soak ourselves in grief and a state of melancholy for several days and months. Some lose hope and are unable to recover from their loss or grief. David has taught us to find strength in the Lord when the turbulent storms rage against us. To further prove his faith and confidence in the Lord, “…David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod. ” Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” (1 Samuel 30:7-8) Indeed, the Psalmist assured us that “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

   13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (Psalms 37:12-13). One enemies may forcefully take what rightfully belongs to us, they may harm us in many ways, but one thing is certain, ” the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).  Initially, David was overwhelmingly distressed; however, he found strength, confidence and direction from the Lord, indicating the truth in Isaiah’s word that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Dear friend, we may be searching for what we have lost and as a result may no longer show kindness to the people we meet on our way, David has taught that as children of God, we must learn to be kind to everyone, irrespective of whatever perilous situation we find ourselves for God may use just anyone to help win back that which we have lost. David’s kindness to the Egyptian servant of his enemies led Him to recover that which was lost. The Egyptian servant was used and dumped by his Amalakite master to die, but when David found him, “They gave him water to drink and food to eat— 12 part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights… David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.” 16 He led David down, and there they were…” (1 Samuel 30:11-12, 15-16) Beloved in the Lord, let us continue to show love and kindness to even our enemies, for God can use anyone on our path to direct us to the place where we can win back that which we have lost.

Beloved in the Lord, David has again taught us to be good stewards and kind-hearted when God gives us back that which is lost. 1 Samuel 30:21-28, after David’s successful raid, his men encountered 200 weary soldiers left behind at the Brook of Besor. A conflict arose between those who fought and those who stayed, as the “evil men and troublemakers” wanted to deny the stay-behinds their share of the recovered plunder. David intervened, declaring that everyone who fought and those who guarded the supplies should share the spoils equally, establishing this as a law for Israel. After returning to Ziklag, David then generously distributed some of the recovered plunder to the elders of Judah and to various towns where he had spent time, thereby strengthening his political alliances. Jesus further warns us to “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15). Let us take a que from the words of Jesus one of his parables, “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ (Matthew 25:40-43) Like David, let’s continue to be kind and good stewards of God’s blessings, for we shall all appear before the Lord one day to account for how we have used the blessings He has bestowed on us.