ZIKLAG

Moreover, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and daughters. But David strengthened (encouraged) himself in the LORD his God.                    I Samuel 30:6 NIV

In the body of Christ, I’m a heart—but sometimes I feel like the fingernails, just holding on.

We all need encouragement. Sometimes it just isn’t there. What’s a body part to do?

David fled from King Saul, and hundreds of hopeless men found hope in him, flocked to him, became his family. Achish gave him the town of Ziklag, where they all settled with their wives and children.

Ziklag, a home for this homeless little army.

But one day they returned from a campaign to find their town looted and burned, everyone taken prisoner. No encouragement for their leader. Instead, the men—his friends, his heart family—wanted to stone David.  

Let’s face it. We’re different. Nobody is 100% compatible with anyone else in this whole wide world, not even soul mates. No one who hasn’t been through it or is going through it can understand what the one who is facing it is facing. Not even the ones who have been through it can understand what it’s like for that person. Each of us has different genetics, different shaping experiences, a different perspective, different things we value.

Lonesome, huh?

So what did David do when his men failed him? He turned to the One who does know every one of us intimately.

Avi, You are the One who made us, the One who knows all we are, all we are not, and who still loves us anyway. You know what’s best for us. You have the wisdom and the power to tackle every problem that concerns us. Please fill us, Avi, and renew our joy in serving You. Help us to keep on keeping on, all the way to a finish pleasing to You. In Your holy name, Amen.