David had backslidden and found himself in a place where he thought he would never be. He was among the ungodly Philistines and preparing for war against God's people. By God's grace he was rejected by the Philistines. He goes back to his city and finds that the Amalekites had attacked and burned it with fire. They had also taken their wives, sons and daughters captive. 1 Samuel 27 tells us that David had done much worse to those cities he had attacked....in comparison to David, the Amalekites were merciful.
David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, "Lest they should inform on us, saying, 'Thus David did.' " And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.—1 Samuel 27:11
David was distressed and the people thought of stoning him because their souls were so very grieved at their loss. David has reached his lowest point but what an example he is for us! What do we read that David does? He turns to God for strength...
"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."
AND GOD IN HIS MERCY AND GRACE GIVES DAVID THE GUIDANCE HE NEEDED! God in his mercy allowed David to hit rock bottom. He knew what it would take for David to turn back to Him...God does the same for us. He removes those things we are trusting in instead of Him until we have no other place to turn. I am very thankful for the trials my God has brought me because in them and through them the Lord has turned my heart towards Him. My trials have made me look up. O Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. Trust in him at all times you people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Ending with Psalm 118:
I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.—Psalm 118: 5-6;8-9
Two more….
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:29-31
but He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God's strength]—2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMPLIFIED VERSION
