Your leadership impacts lives. Will it inspire faith or bring ruin?

Today, we will read the conclusion of Saul's life. If you are ready, let's discover how it ends in 1 Samuel 31:4-6:

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. — 1 Samuel 31:4-6

Saul's tragic end is more than a moment of personal failure—it’s a sobering picture of leadership disconnected from God. His story challenges us to evaluate how we lead and reminds us that leadership isn’t just about direction; it’s about dependence.

In a moment of fear and despair, Saul chooses to take his own life rather than face capture by his enemies. His armor-bearer, overcome with grief, does the same. This event not only marks the end of Saul’s reign but also devastates those under his leadership—his sons, his armor-bearer, and his men all fall with him.

Three Leadership Lessons: 1 | Leadership Without God is Unsustainable

Saul's downfall didn’t begin on the battlefield. It began in his heart. By ignoring God's commands and chasing his own ambitions, he severed the source of his strength. Leadership apart from God will always falter under pressure. Whether we lead our families, our teams, or our communities, we must anchor ourselves in God’s wisdom, not our own.

2 | Leadership Always Impacts Others

Saul’s choices weren’t isolated. They led to the death of his sons, his armor-bearer, and his men. As leaders, our decisions ripple through the lives of those we influence. Whether at home or work, we must ask ourselves: Are we leading people closer to God or farther away?

3 | Leadership Requires Leaning on God

Saul’s fear overcame him because he relied on his own strength. Godly leadership doesn’t come from having all the answers but from leaning on the leadership of God. When we follow faithfully, we can lead courageously which inspires others to do the same.

How will you lead?

Will you try to lead on your own strength, as Saul did, only to collapse under the weight of your burdens? Or will you choose a better path—a path of surrender, trust, and courage found in God?

The world needs godly leaders. Your family, your friends, your workplace, and your community need men and women who will step up, stand firm, and point others to Christ. It doesn’t require perfection, only faithfulness. Saul’s story may have ended in tragedy, but your story doesn’t have to.

Today ask God to guide you in every decision, to strengthen you in every trial, and to help you lead others closer to Him. Leadership starts with faith and grows through daily dependence on God. Be the leader who inspires, encourages, and uplifts—because you follow the ultimate Leader, Jesus Christ.

#LeadWithFaith #GodlyLeadership #FaithfulInfluence

Ask This:

1. List three areas where you influence others.
2. How do you need to pray over each one?

Do This:

Be a godly influence and leader.

Pray This:

Lord, I am ready to lead as You call me to lead. Help me depend on You in every decision and to guide others in a way that reflects Your truth and grace. Teach me to lead courageously and faithfully, always pointing others to You. Amen.

Play This:

Lead Me.

Every decision is a stone in the water—what kind of ripples are you leaving for others?

We are in 1 Samuel 31. This is the final chapter and the conclusion of Saul's life. Let's read 1 Samuel 31:1-3:

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. — 1 Samuel 31:1-3

This chapter marks the sobering end of Saul’s reign—a king who began with humility and promise but ended in tragedy. What started as a hopeful story unraveled into a heartbreaking warning. Saul’s repeated disobedience to God didn’t just undermine his leadership; it produced ripples of destruction that extended far beyond himself.

The most striking proof of this is found in the deaths of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua—who perished alongside him. Saul’s failure wasn’t an isolated event; it created ripples in his family and the entire nation of Israel. This ripple effect reminds us of an unshakable truth:

The ripples of our choices wash up in the lives of those we love.

Are there choices you are making creating ripples you need to address?

Those choices, whether big or small, can create ripples that affect others in ways we don’t always immediately see. But here’s the good news: repentance makes ripples, too. While sin spreads hurt, repentance spreads healing—and its reach is just as far and fast.

Don’t wait for the waves of sin to crash further into your life or the lives of others. Take a moment today to align and adjust your steps. Stop the cycle of compromise, plant seeds of faithfulness, and let the ripple of obedience become a wave of blessing for generations to come.

#RippleEffect #LegacyMatters #ChooseFaithfulness

Ask This:

1. Are there areas where you need to seek reconciliation or make a course correction?
2. How can you ensure the legacy you leave blesses, rather than burdens, those who come after you?

Do This:

Address your sinful ripple.

Pray This:

Father, thank You for showing me the impact my choices can have on others. Help me to reconcile where I’ve caused harm and to turn back to You in areas where I’ve strayed. Guide me to leave a legacy of faithfulness, obedience, and blessing for the next generation. Amen.

Play This:

Waves.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him.

Two men, two battles—one ends in tragedy and the other in victory. Which will you be?

We are in 1 Samuel 31. This is the final chapter and the conclusion of Saul's life. Let's read verse one:

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. — 1 Samuel 31:1

In the dramatic conclusion of 1 Samuel, two men—David and Saul—are vivid examples of two opposite men. Their stories unfold simultaneously but in stark opposition.

On the southern front, David is in Ziklag, a city devastated by Amalekites. He strengthens himself in the Lord, rallies his men, and rescues captives, turning defeat into triumph.

Meanwhile, to the north, Saul faces the Philistines in the Jezreel Valley. Isolated from God, riddled with fear, and desperate, Saul seeks guidance from a forbidden medium. His final act is tragic—taking his own life on Mount Gilboa as his army crumbles.

Two men, two outcomes.

David’s end in Chapter 30 is marked by victory and generosity. After defeating the Amalekites, he shares the plunder with his men and the elders of Judah, fostering unity and gratitude. His reliance on God leads to restoration and blessing.

Saul’s end in Chapter 31 is dramatically different. His life ends in despair, a tragic culmination of years of rebellion, disobedience, and rejection of God’s will. His defeat marks the collapse of his legacy.

Both men faced battles, but their circumstances didn’t dictate the outcomes. Their hearts did. David’s heart was surrendered to God, leading him to fight with divine strength. Saul’s heart had long drifted from God, leading to his tragic downfall. Thus we learn:

Circumstances test us, but our hearts will define us.

Life presents us all with battles every day. The question isn’t if we’ll face them but how we’ll fight them—and with whom. Will you face them like David, battling with the Lord, finding victory and generosity even in adversity? Or will you face them like Saul, struggling in your strength, isolated, and ending in defeat?

My suggestion is to live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31.

#HeartOfFaith, #BattleReady, #LiveVictoriously

Ask This:

1. How will you face your battles: with David’s faith or Saul’s fear?
2. In what ways can you surrender your heart to God during challenges?

Do This:

Live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31.

Pray This:

Father, grant me the strength to face my battles with unwavering faith and a heart fully surrendered to You. Help me choose victory and generosity, reflecting Your love in every circumstance. Amen.

Play This:

Jehovah.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him.

Are you hoarding a blessing or being generous with it?

David and his men enjoy a massive victory against the Amalekites. There is a minor disagreement when they return, and then when they return to Ziklag, David does this in 1 Samuel 30:26-31.

When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.” It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed. — 1 Samuel 30:26-31

David had just experienced a sensational victory, reclaiming what the Amalekites had stolen. After such an intense battle, it would have been easy for David to bask in the glory and hoard the spoils. Instead, David does something that reveals something remarkable about his character and leadership.

When he returned to Ziklag, David took a portion of the plunder and presented it to the elders and others who had supported him over many years. These weren’t random gifts but deliberate acts of generosity toward those who had previously offered David and his men shelter, security, and safety. His message was clear: "Here is the Lord's provision."

David's actions illustrate two vital principles of provision:

Principle One | Recognize God's Provision

David understood that the victory belonged to the Lord. By referring to the spoil as “from the enemies of the Lord,” he acknowledged that it wasn’t merely his success but God’s deliverance. When we achieve a victory or blessing, it’s important to remember that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17).

Principle Two | Be Generous With God's Provision

David’s generosity wasn’t about repayment but about recognizing relationships. He remembered those who had been faithful during his wandering years and used his blessing to strengthen those relationships. Our generosity reflects a heart of gratitude and humility, reminding us that we are stewards, not owners, of God’s blessings.

We’re often tempted to hoard our wins, whether financial, professional, or personal. But David’s example challenges us to ask, “Who can I generously bless, when the time is right, with what God has given me?” You see, generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s about sharing God’s glory and building his kingdom through his resources, that we have the honor of stewarding for a period of time.

#Generosity #Stewardship #Gratitude

Ask This:

1. Who has supported you in your wilderness seasons?
2. How can you extend generosity as a reflection of your gratitude to God and encouragement to others?

Do This:

Be generous.

Pray This:

Lord, thank You for the blessings and victories You provide. Help me to remember that everything I have is Yours. Teach me to be generous and to use what You’ve given me to strengthen and bless others for Your glory. Amen.

Play This:

Generous Giver.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him.

Is justice about fairness?

David and his men enjoy a massive victory but meet up with the 200 soldiers they left behind on their return. Some worthless me who fought felt like the ones who were too tired did not deserve the spoils. Let’s listen to what David says about that in 1 Samuel 30:23-25.

But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. — 1 Samuel 30:23-25

Victory always feels sweet after a hard-fought battle. But sometimes, the sweet taste turns into bitter selfishness.

David and his men had just celebrated an enormous defeat, reclaiming their loved ones and every possession. As they returned to the 200 men who had stayed behind to guard the supplies, an argument broke out. A small grouping of men who had fought wanted to deny the others who hadn't any share in the spoils, claiming they hadn’t earned it. But David’s response reveals a profound understanding of God's justice.

David declares, “You shall not do so... with what the Lord has given us.” Davis will not let a few misguided men steal the joy of God's victory and justice. Instead, he shifts their focus back to God, reminding them that it was God's purpose, provision, and power that won the battle and that God alone returned what was taken. David understood that final justice belongs to God, which meant the blessings of victory are not something they could claim or selfishly divide based on human effort.

Justice in human hands always leaves selfish fingerprints.

Every one of us, at some point, thinks justice is about fairness as we define it. We believe it should be awarded to the worthy and withheld from the unworthy. But God’s justice operates differently. His justice is governed by his will, sacrifice, redemption, and grace. God's justice never plays by our selfish rules. It's a good thing it doesn't because we are all sinners deserving of eternal punishment. But by God's grace, we are saved through faith in the justice extended in the sacrifice of Jesus, his son, and our Lord.

However, we should not interpret David's ruling as a mere declaration of "human fairness." David was more concerned about discipling and teaching his men about the nature and character of God as a leader of God's people. He wanted to ensure God's gracious and generous justice would be a lasting principle for the warriors of Israel.

You and I are often like David’s men—quick to judge who deserves what based on our ideas of human effort and fairness. Our human grip on justice leaves selfish fingerprints on it. But when we let God handle justice, our perspective changes. And if we’re honest, that’s the only justice that matters because he is the only one who is righteous, just, and victorious.

Remember David's response the next time you’re tempted to cling to what you believe you’ve earned or the next time you decide someone else isn’t worthy. The victories in your life aren’t yours alone—they’re gifts from God. His spoils are meant to be shared, not stockpiled.

Step back today and ask yourself: Are you a reflection of God’s justice? Do you extend the same grace you’ve received? Justice in human hands always leaves selfish fingerprints.

#GodsJustice, #GraceInAction, #VictoryInChrist

Ask This:

1. How can you trust God’s justice more instead of clinging to your sense of fairness?
2. Who needs to experience God’s grace through your generosity today?

Do This:

Be a reflection of God's justice.

Pray This:

Lord, thank You for showing me grace instead of giving me what I deserve. Help me reflect Your justice and share Your blessings freely. Amen.

Play This:

Justice.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him.

Are you a worthless guardian or a worthy giver?

David and his men enjoy a massive victory, but they meet up with the 200 soldiers they left behind on their return. Those who were too tired to follow. Let’s look at today’s text from 1 Samuel 30:21-22

Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” — 1 Samuel 30:21-22

The victory was complete; the enemy was defeated, families were restored, and the spoils were theirs. But a crack was exposed as David and his men returned. Some men, described as “wicked and worthless,” refused to share the spoils with the 200 who had stayed behind. Their reasoning?

"If they didn’t fight, they don’t deserve a bite."

Their statement highlights a severe lack of spiritual perspective, which results in an attitude of selfishness. A few "worthless" men saw the victory as their achievement rather than God’s accomplishment. They failed to recognize that God's provision to find the fight, arrive at the perfect time for the fight, the strength to fight, and the spoils from the fight were all provisions from the Lord. Instead of having an attitude of gratitude toward God and others, they became guardians, drawing hard lines between who was "worthy" of the spoil and who was not. Thus, they showed themselves as "worthless."

We are not so different. When God grants us success or blessings, how often do we claim them as our own? How often do we hold tightly to the spoils—our time, talents, resources, or victories—rather than sharing them generously? In our selfishness, we forget that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17). And when we cling to what is God's as if it were ours, we fail to reflect his generosity and become "wicked and worthless."

Tomorrow, we will see how David responds to this.

But for now, here is the charge: Be generous with what God has given you. Recognize that every victory, every blessing, and every resource is God's. Use it all to reflect God's goodness. Don’t guard the spoils; share them freely, giving him worth.

#GenerosityOfGod, #Stewardship, #BiblicalLeadership

Ask This:

1. How can you reflect God’s generosity in sharing your time, talents, and blessings with others today?
2. Are you holding tightly to something God has given, forgetting it’s His provision?

Do This:

Be generous today.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to see every blessing as a gift from You and not my own achievement. Teach me to share generously, reflecting Your grace and goodness to others. Amen.

Play This:

Worthy of it All.

What do you do when life takes everything from you?

In the wake of unimaginable loss, David sought God’s direction. Through an unexpected encounter with an Egyptian slave—left for dead by the very enemy who burned their town and took their families—he found a path to victory. Let’s look at today’s text from 1 Samuel 30:16-20

And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David's spoil.” — 1 Samuel 30:16-20

Loss has a way of leaving us feeling powerless. Imagine standing in David’s shoes—surveying a burned town, families taken, and his own men turning on him in despair. Yet, in the face of such distress, David did something extraordinary: he sought God’s direction.

The result? A victory beyond imagination.

In this passage, we see how God used the most unexpected means—a forsaken Egyptian slave—to lead David and his men to their enemies. They arrived at a scene of indulgence: the Amalekites feasting and celebrating their stolen treasures.

But their celebration didn’t last long.

David and his men struck decisively, defeating the Amalekites and recovering everything. Not a single family member was missing. No possession, whether small or great, was lost. God restored it all—and then some.

In the end, the people declared, “This is David’s spoil.”

This is because:

God doesn’t just restore—He restores with abundance.

But was this victory truly David’s doing? Or was it the providential hand of God?

The answer is clear: it was God’s victory. The same God who restores, redeems, and provides abundance in the midst of distress and destitution.

If you’re feeling distressed today—if loss, heartache, or uncertainty has left you broken—take heart. You may be looking into a valley of despair, but the God we worship is the God who redeems and restores. Trust in Him, seek His direction, and take steps of obedience. In time, you too will witness a victory, overflowing with His abundance.

#GodRestores, #VictoryInChrist, #HopeInDespair

Ask This:

1. What areas of your life feel lost or broken, and how can you seek God’s direction for restoration?
2. How does trusting in God’s power change your perspective on your current struggles or setbacks?

Do This:

Trust God victory is coming.

Pray This:

Father, in my moments of loss and despair, I trust You to restore what feels broken beyond repair. Lead me to Your victory and abundance as I walk in faith and obedience. Amen.

Play This:

See A Victory.

Do you really want it your way or God's way?

In Chapter 30, David returns to Ziklag and finds that his land has been burned and all of their families have been taken captive. He seeks guidance from the Lord on what actions to take and then heads off in pursuit of the enemy. In the meantime, they come across a survivor who was left behind by the enemy responsible for this destruction. This scenario can be found in 1 Samuel 30:11-15.

They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink, and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.” And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band.” — 1 Samuel 30:11-15

David’s encounter with the abandoned Egyptian slave is a striking example of God’s providence. After seeking God’s guidance, David didn’t just rush into action blindly. He trusted in God’s plan—and that trust was met with provision he could not have foreseen. The Egyptian, left for dead by his Amalekite master, became the key to victory. Without this man’s inside knowledge, David might have struggled to locate the enemy or reclaim what was stolen.

This moment reminds us of how God works in ways we often cannot predict. When we seek God first, as David did, his answers will come but not always as thunderous proclamations. Sometimes, they come through unexpected people, problems, or promptings that steer us toward his purpose.

In times of distress, I’m quick to handle problems my way instead of seeking God’s way.

How often do you do this?

David’s story teaches us the importance of seeking God first, then walking in faith, and discovering God's way. God's way is better than your way. When we do it in God's way, his providence shows up in little ways along the way. It could be in a conversation with a stranger who emerges at the right time.

So, if you are in distress today, stop doing it your way and do it God's way. Consult him first, take steps of faith, and look for his providence along the way, and victory will be his through you.

#TrustGodFirst, #DivineProvidence, #FaithInAction

Ask This:

1. What situation in your life needs you to pause and seek God’s guidance before taking action?
2. How can you remain attentive to God’s unexpected provisions during your faith journey?

Do This:

Just do it God's way.

Pray This:

Lord, help me to seek You first in every challenge and trust in Your perfect plan. Open my eyes to see Your providence along the way. Amen.

Play This:

The Jesus Way.

What do hard times reveal about your hope?

In Chapter 30, the Philistines advanced toward the Jezreel Valley for a final showdown with Saul, while David headed south to Ziklag to discover his land burned and his families taken. Here’s how David responds in 1 Samuel 30:7-10.

And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor. — 1 Samuel 30:7-10

David and Saul faced immense external pressures—enemies advancing and personal losses—and both were pressed from within by fear and desperation. Yet their responses could not have been more different, revealing the foundations of their faith.

Saul, in Chapter 28, turns to the forbidden. In his desperation, he seeks out a medium, the Witch of Endor, hoping for answers. Saul's decision highlights his lack of relationship with God. He resorts to man-made solutions, which ultimately leave him more hopeless than before. This action is the culmination of Saul’s life of self-reliance and disobedience. Instead of finding relief, he sinks deeper into despair, paving the way for his tragic end.

David shows us a better way in Chapter 30. Upon finding Ziklag burned and his family taken captive, he doesn’t act impulsively or turn to ungodly solutions. Instead, he strengthens himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6) and seeks God's guidance. By calling for the ephod, David demonstrates a heart fully dependent on God. His inquiry is met with clarity and hope: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and rescue.” David's reliance on God not only brings assurance but also restores direction and unity among his men.

The contrast between these two leaders reminds us of an essential truth:

Hard times reveal where your hope resides.

Like Saul, we can be tempted to seek quick fixes in worldly wisdom or human advice. But true relief comes when, like David, we let the hard task ahead reveal that our hope is only in the Lord, who is our strength and our salvation.

#FaithUnderPressure, #HopeInGod, #StrengthInTrials

Ask This:

1. When life presses in, do you seek God first, or do you look for relief elsewhere?
2. What steps can you take today to strengthen your relationship with him so turning to God becomes your natural response in times of need?

Do This:

When it's hard, which could be today, find your hope in the Lord.

Pray This:

Lord, when trials press in, help me to turn to You as my source of strength and hope. Teach me to trust Your guidance and depend on Your promises, no matter how hard the road ahead may seem. Amen.

Play This:

Hope Has A Name.

Where do you find strength when you stand in the ashes?

Chapter 29 focused on the scene behind enemy lines before the Philistines and Israel went to battle. In Chapter 30, the Philistines advanced northward toward the Jezreel Valley for the final showdown with Saul while David headed south back toward Ziklag. Here is what happens next in 1 Samuel 30:1-6.

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. — 1 Samuel 30:1-6

David had narrowly escaped a moral disaster. He had been spared from fighting against Israel—his own people—in a battle alongside the Philistines. Though rejected by the Philistine leaders, David likely felt a strange relief as he and his men returned to Ziklag. But relief quickly turned into devastation. Their city had been raided and burned, their families taken captive. And the men who had been his closest allies were now bitterly angry, speaking of stoning him.

This was the final test before David would ascend to the throne God had promised. The pressure was immense. Everything David had built seemed lost—his home, his family, his friendships, even his leadership. Yet, in this moment of utter despair, he made a defining choice. "He strengthened himself in the Lord his God."

What does finding strength in the Lord in a moment like this mean?

It’s not just wishful thinking or a vague prayer. David strengthened himself by turning his entire focus to God. He likely prayed with raw honesty, pouring out his fears and grief. He remembered God’s faithfulness in past trials—rescuing him from Saul, giving him victory over Goliath, and guiding him in the wilderness. He anchored himself in God’s promises, knowing that God had anointed him to be king and that He finishes what He starts. David’s strength didn’t come from within but from surrendering his weakness to God and trusting Him to act.

In our lives, finding strength in the Lord looks the same. It means stopping to pray, even when we feel too overwhelmed to find the words. It’s reflecting on God’s unchanging character—His power, His love, and His ability to redeem any situation. It’s digging into Scripture, letting His promises speak louder than our fears. And it’s choosing to trust Him, even when the outcome is unclear.

In life, we all face Ziklag moments—times when relationships strain, circumstances crumble, leadership is tested, and we stand in the ashes. When those moments come, you have a choice: You can give in to despair, or you can press into God for the strength to endure. Like David, you must learn to seek Him as your refuge, even when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart.

#StrengthInGod, #ZiklagMoments, #FaithOverFear

Ask This:

1. How can remembering God’s past faithfulness help you find strength in your current challenges?
2. What steps can you take to seek God’s strength in despair?

Do This:

Stand strong in the ashes with God.

Pray This:

Lord, when I feel surrounded by loss and uncertainty, remind me to seek strength in You alone. Help me to trust Your promises, knowing You are faithful in carrying me through every trial. Amen.

Play This:

Beauty for Ashes.