Life Principle 7
The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
(1 Sam 30:1-6)
The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
(1 Sam 30:1-6)
Life’s Questions
Sometimes it seems as if the trials never really end—you’re either beginning one, in the middle of one, or just ending a season of difficulties. Whether it’s relational, financial, physical, or spiritual, it can be very draining and discouraging. Also, problems don’t happen in a vacuum—there are always new emergencies and troubles to deal with that make life even more difficult.
Yet God is always good. This may be a difficult truth to accept while you’re going through a trial, but it’s one that you need to cling to if you want to make it through. It’s also helpful to remember Life Principle 7: The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
What the Bible Says
Read 1 Samuel 27:1–8. David had been anointed king of Israel by Samuel (see 1 Sam. 16:11–13), while the present king, Saul, was still alive. What is going on at this point in David’s life (1 Sam 27:1)?
*** David didn’t have it easy. In addition to waiting years for God to give him the throne, King Saul wanted to kill him and anyone who helped him. (1 Sam 18:25;1 Sam 19:10-12;1 Sam 21:13;1 Sam 22:17,22;1 Sam 23:8,14-15,24-25;
1 Sam 24:2;1 Sam 26:2;1 Sam 27:1).
How long was David with the Philistines (1 Sam 27:7)?
Where did Achish the king of the Philistines tell David to dwell (1 Sam 27:6)?
What was wrong with this land (1 Sam 27:8)?
Read 1 Samuel 29:3–7. How did the Philistines react to having David in their midst (1 Sam 27:4)?
How do you think that David felt to be unwanted in his homeland and rejected by the Philistines?
Read 1 Samuel 30:1–6. What did David and his men find when they got home to Ziklag (1 Sam 30:1-3)?
Who did all the people blame for their misfortunes (1 Sam 30:6)?
What It Means
You can’t blame David for despairing, because everything was going wrong. He was unfairly targeted by King Saul, driven from his homeland, rejected by his new neighbors, constantly under threat of attack, his family was taken captive, and his people were turning on him. If there was ever a moment for David to wonder what God was doing, this was it. Yet, David did what we all should do when the dark moments of life overwhelm us. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Instead of doubting God, David spent time in His presence, reminding himself of the mighty God that he trusted and served.
*** God chose David to be king of Israel years before David ever occupied the throne. God first had to prepare David to honor Him in everything that he did. There was never any question that God would keep His promise to David, no matter how David doubted or suffered. All of the trials merely strengthened David’s faith for the challenges to come.
Life Examples
Read Isaiah 30:18–21. What does God want to do (Is 30:18)?
When you cry out to God, how does He respond (Is 30:19)?
Why does God allow adversity in your life (Is 30:20-21)?
Living the Principle
Trials are confusing and are never easy. But God uses them to develop important character traits in your life, and you can profit from your troubles if you will trust Him. David did, and he passed the tests of faith (see 1 Sam. 31:6; 2 Sam. 2:4; 2 Sam. 5:1–5). God taught David through affliction, and He is teaching you as well.
*** If you’re walking with God and want to be used by Him, you will go through difficult times in your life.
You may wonder, Why does it have to be so painful? Unfortunately, there are no simple answers because God’s discipline and instruction are unique to each individual. God must get your attention, teach you to turn only to Him, and train you to minister to others who have profound hurts (see 2 Cor. 1:3–4)—and usually that requires touching an area deep within your soul. However, you can know for sure that He is doing something immensely important in and through you. God would never allow you to suffer without a significant reason or permit your trouble to continue a minute more than necessary. Therefore, don’t run from your problems. Face them with faith in God, knowing that He will not give you more than you can bear.
How will you live out Life Principle 7 this week? Are you experiencing a dark, difficult time? Do you need the relief that only God can give? Discuss how to “strengthen yourself in the Lord” as David did and encourage each other. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Sometimes it seems as if the trials never really end—you’re either beginning one, in the middle of one, or just ending a season of difficulties. Whether it’s relational, financial, physical, or spiritual, it can be very draining and discouraging. Also, problems don’t happen in a vacuum—there are always new emergencies and troubles to deal with that make life even more difficult.
Yet God is always good. This may be a difficult truth to accept while you’re going through a trial, but it’s one that you need to cling to if you want to make it through. It’s also helpful to remember Life Principle 7: The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
What the Bible Says
Read 1 Samuel 27:1–8. David had been anointed king of Israel by Samuel (see 1 Sam. 16:11–13), while the present king, Saul, was still alive. What is going on at this point in David’s life (1 Sam 27:1)?
*** David didn’t have it easy. In addition to waiting years for God to give him the throne, King Saul wanted to kill him and anyone who helped him. (1 Sam 18:25;1 Sam 19:10-12;1 Sam 21:13;1 Sam 22:17,22;1 Sam 23:8,14-15,24-25;
1 Sam 24:2;1 Sam 26:2;1 Sam 27:1).
How long was David with the Philistines (1 Sam 27:7)?
Where did Achish the king of the Philistines tell David to dwell (1 Sam 27:6)?
What was wrong with this land (1 Sam 27:8)?
Read 1 Samuel 29:3–7. How did the Philistines react to having David in their midst (1 Sam 27:4)?
How do you think that David felt to be unwanted in his homeland and rejected by the Philistines?
Read 1 Samuel 30:1–6. What did David and his men find when they got home to Ziklag (1 Sam 30:1-3)?
Who did all the people blame for their misfortunes (1 Sam 30:6)?
What It Means
You can’t blame David for despairing, because everything was going wrong. He was unfairly targeted by King Saul, driven from his homeland, rejected by his new neighbors, constantly under threat of attack, his family was taken captive, and his people were turning on him. If there was ever a moment for David to wonder what God was doing, this was it. Yet, David did what we all should do when the dark moments of life overwhelm us. 1 Samuel 30:6 says, “David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Instead of doubting God, David spent time in His presence, reminding himself of the mighty God that he trusted and served.
*** God chose David to be king of Israel years before David ever occupied the throne. God first had to prepare David to honor Him in everything that he did. There was never any question that God would keep His promise to David, no matter how David doubted or suffered. All of the trials merely strengthened David’s faith for the challenges to come.
Life Examples
Read Isaiah 30:18–21. What does God want to do (Is 30:18)?
When you cry out to God, how does He respond (Is 30:19)?
Why does God allow adversity in your life (Is 30:20-21)?
Living the Principle
Trials are confusing and are never easy. But God uses them to develop important character traits in your life, and you can profit from your troubles if you will trust Him. David did, and he passed the tests of faith (see 1 Sam. 31:6; 2 Sam. 2:4; 2 Sam. 5:1–5). God taught David through affliction, and He is teaching you as well.
*** If you’re walking with God and want to be used by Him, you will go through difficult times in your life.
You may wonder, Why does it have to be so painful? Unfortunately, there are no simple answers because God’s discipline and instruction are unique to each individual. God must get your attention, teach you to turn only to Him, and train you to minister to others who have profound hurts (see 2 Cor. 1:3–4)—and usually that requires touching an area deep within your soul. However, you can know for sure that He is doing something immensely important in and through you. God would never allow you to suffer without a significant reason or permit your trouble to continue a minute more than necessary. Therefore, don’t run from your problems. Face them with faith in God, knowing that He will not give you more than you can bear.
How will you live out Life Principle 7 this week? Are you experiencing a dark, difficult time? Do you need the relief that only God can give? Discuss how to “strengthen yourself in the Lord” as David did and encourage each other. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- God has put a limit on all adversity (see Lam. 3:31–33).
- Adversity is God’s tool for building godly character in us (see Rom. 5:3–4).
- Adversity usually comes in the areas where we feel the most confident (see 2 Cor. 12:7–9).
- God’s ultimate design is to conform you to the likeness of Jesus (see Rom. 8:29).