IN the thirtieth chapter of I Samuel is the account of David's finding, on his return to Ziklag, that the city had been destroyed and the inhabitants taken captive. His distress was intensified at first when those who were with him "spake of stoning him." But while the thoughts of his followers were filled with malice, as it is written, "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." In other words, David prayed. Listening to the thoughts which came to him from God, he was impervious to the attacks of evil from within and without. He was humble before God. He was not overwhelmed by a sense of shame because of this experience. He used it as an opportunity to encourage and strengthen his heart in communion with God. Then with divine guidance and assurance he went forward, taking with him his erstwhile erring followers to recover that which had been carried away.
Through encouraging himself David was able lovingly and generously to encourage those who would have smitten him. Indeed, it was for their sakes as well as his own that he was inspired to forget the human sense of self and to press forward. With such preparation and consecration there was no doubt of the final triumph over error. He was led, step by step, to victory. And it is written, "David recovered all." Through this experience David undoubtedly glimpsed the fact that the qualities of faith and courage which called forth noble and selfless deeds on behalf of himself and others, were in reality part of his true selfhood.
What a comfort the experience of David has been, and will ever be, to those who are laboring in an apparently limited environment! Exercising the good they know, reflecting the qualities of divine Love under whatever circumstances, surely prepares them and lifts them into greater opportunities for service to mankind, even as the shepherd boy was called one day from his faithful and loving labors in obscurity to larger opportunities.
