1 Samuel 30:1–31:13
Reacting is easy.
What’s difficult is overcoming emotions especially in a time of adversity.
Although emotions are not bad, they can lead us astray. By the same token, when
we go too far in the other direction and rely entirely on reason, we risk
acting without empathy. The answer to this dilemma is not to use emotions
against reason, but to pray instead.
Throughout his life
King David struggles to balance emotion and logic. At times he was emotionally
wrecked; at other times he is so calculated that he seems heartless. Yet when
he sought the Lord in prayer, even when it would be more convenient not to do
so, he was better off.
In 1 Samuel 30:1–6,
David returned to the town of Ziklag to find that his two wives along with the
wives of his warriors had been captured, and the city had been burned down. The
Bible describes the emotional atmosphere that existed: “David and the people who
were with him raised their voices and wept until there was not enough strength
in them to weep.” David’s men were so upset that they
considered killing him because they believed that the situation was his fault
(1 Sam 30:4, 6). Then the Bible records David's decision, “But David
strengthened himself in Yahweh his God” (1 Sam 30:6). This decision changed
everything.
In seeking Yahweh,
David learned that he would be able to overtake the raiders of Ziklag and
recover the captives (1 Sam 30:7–10). En route an amazing thing happened: David
and his men showed kindness to a stranger, who responded by showing them where
the raiders are camped. David and his men then defeated the raiders and
recovered the captives (1 Sam 30:11–20). This is one of God's mysterious works.
But could God have worked in mysterious ways if David had allowed either hot
emotion or cold logic to rule him? Probably not. His prayer made all the
difference.
We overcome the
problems we face because God works in us, through His Spirit, when we seek Him
in prayer. This is also how we can overcome our weaknesses and become more like
Him.
What emotions do you need to overcome through prayer?
What tensions can be
resolved through God’s work?
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