Moment With The Master
“Pursue, Overtake, Recover”
Categories: Moment With The MasterSo David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8)
The rise of David's popularity in Israel, caused insane jealousy in King Saul. With these words ringing in his ears, “‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’” (1 Samuel 18:10), Saul zealously pursued the capture of David. Unlike Saul, David inquired of God in moments of distress. This time God's answer was: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
Having been delivered from the Philistine army, David’s army set out to return to Ziglag. Instead of being welcomed by their families, they found the city burned, and their families captured. David surely deemed the situation hopeless. He even senses a mutiny among his own troops.
However David's trust was not in man, but in God. With all hope lost, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God”. Such faith is often exemplified in times of despair. Paul would later record: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10)
Next, David sought counsel from Abiathar, the priest. David sought an answer from this trusted confidant and spokesman for God. God delivered his counsel: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
There are times in our own lives when we come to the spiritual valleys. Either the sin in our lives or circumstances beyond our control prompt a spiritual low. In such distress, we must find strength in God, and pursue, overtake, and recover.
God wants you to confront the nagging persistent sin in your life head-on. He longs for you to mend the fences of broken relationships – with a neighbor, a brother, or your mate. He beseeches you to rise above the trials that weigh you down. God is saying “with my help you can do this”! “Pursue, overtake, and recover.”
By George Slover