Life can be full of losses. No sooner do you recover from one loss than another one seems to hit you hard. One loss after another can make you want to give up. However, remember that God is the key to your recovery.
There is a story about David that speaks to us in situations of hopelessness and devastation. While David and his men were off fighting, the enemy destroyed their homes and took their families captive to another city. So, David and his army wept because of their loss. Life can have some devasting moments that will cause us to weep.
During this tragedy, David’s men looked to him for guidance to get through their devastating loss of homes and families. So, what did David do? He went to God for advice. David said, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And God answered David with an affirmative, saying “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake your enemy and without fail recover all of your losses.”
Sometimes the enemy will attack us where we are most vulnerable. The enemy attacks on all sides and may target our loved ones to get to us. This could involve significant events like a spouse losing their job or a loved one discovering they have cancer. It could be material issues such as car failure or a refrigerator on the brink.
You need to stay alert because when you are off pursuing something else, that is when the enemy will blindside you—you never see it coming. It is difficult to love people who have blindsided you. However, you need to remain vigilant and discern the enemy’s attacks so you can defend yourself.
Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought alongside one day turned against him the next. That’s why your strength, strategies, and solutions for living must come from God, not others. If you want to end up discouraged, talk about your situation to strangers. But if you want to be encouraged, talk to the one who can change your situation and that is God.
God told David to “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without failure recover all.” What God did for David and his men that day, he will do for you if you seek him. As we begin to develop new habits of seeking God in our losses, God draws near to us. As we pursue him, he responds with his presence, his blessing, and his power. Be blessed and rely on God’s power. Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
Dr. Walter Ghosten
