If you have ever had something stolen from you, you know what a painful feeling that is. Not only do you find yourself missing the thing that belonged to you, but there’s also a feeling of being violated associated with being robbed. Whether the item that was stolen from you was large or small, having something stolen from you is a painful experience that leaves you feeling vulnerable and broken inside.
The Bible teaches us that Satan is a thief. Jesus said in John 10:10 that Satan’s primary purpose in life is to “kill, steal and destroy.” Unlike the thieves who may rob you of physical possessions, the things that Satan steals don’t come with a price tag. If a thief breaks into your home and steals valuable items, you may be able to get a check from your insurance company that can be used to replace them. You can put up security cameras and install a security system that can prevent it from happening again in the future. However, Satan’s thievery goes well beyond what can be purchased, and unfortunately, a security camera won’t detect him.
However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to be left victimized by Satan’s theft. Since we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), we can experience restoration and recover what the enemy steals from us. There is a beautiful story of recovering what the enemy has taken found in 1 Samuel.
David’s Return to Ziklag
1 Samuel 30
Before we dive into this story, let’s set the scene. David and his army had just returned to their home at Ziklag. Tragically, when they arrived home, they found that their wives, children, livestock and possessions were gone, and their homes had been burned. While David and the soldiers were away, the Amalekites had raided the area and taken everyone away. They didn’t kill anyone, but David and his men had no way of knowing that. What follows is a glorious example of how we can recover what the enemy has stolen from us.
It’s OK to Not Be OK
1 Samuel 30:4 (ESV)
Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.
As Christians, we often operate under the assumption that we are called by God to wear a smile at all times, put on a brave exterior and only talk about how good we’re doing. It’s a dangerous, unbiblical ideology that causes many of us to suppress a lot of the pain that we’re experiencing. David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), but he wasn’t always happy. Many of the Psalms he penned were psalms of lament or mourning.
In this verse, we find a group of battle-tested men weeping “until they had no more strength to weep.” If the enemy has taken something from you, it’s ok to show your brokenness. God isn’t afraid to come to you in the middle of your pain. There’s no need for a brave front.
Finding a Source of Strength
1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)
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.
When a thief steals an item that belongs to you, you contact local law enforcement and allow them to help you recover what has been stolen. Relying on trained law enforcement officials to recover what has been stolen gives you hope, as you are confident in their abilities. Since the things that Satan steals aren’t tangible like cars, jewelry and electronics, we don’t find our confidence in people.
Why? Because humans can be fickle. The same men who were weeping and mourning with David had just followed him into battle. However, now that they were facing adversity, these same men were ready to stone David to death. David couldn’t find his strength in the people around him. Instead, he “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
When Satan steals your joy, peace, or your happiness, it’s important that we turn to God as our source of strength. If you have other believers around you who can encourage you, that is wonderful. However, they can’t be your source. David knew he needed strength to face what was going on around him, and that his God was the only source of strength that would sustain him.
The Power of Prayer
1 Samuel 30:8 (ESV)
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.”
As a child of God, your prayers have power. God, the Creator of everything around you, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords stops everything He is doing and listens to you. Not only does He listen, but He responds! David knew if he had any hope of rescuing his wives and children from their newfound captivity, He was going to need God to make it possible. Keep in mind, at this point, David and his men didn’t even know if their families were still alive.
David went to God in prayer and asked if there was any reason to pursue the Amalekites. God not only told David that he should pursue the raiders who had left him with nothing, but that David would “surely overtake and surely recover.”
With the assurance of God’s power, presence and provision, David knew that there was something worth fighting for. Armed with that information, he led his men in pursuit of the Amalekites, and the Bible says, “David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken” (1 Samuel 30:18).
Undoubtedly, David and his men questioned if the mission was going to be worth it. Maybe you’re in a similar position. Child of God, the things that the enemy has stolen from you are worth fighting for. Your joy, your peace, your happiness, all of those things are worth fighting for. Your marriage, your relationship with your children, your friendships that have fallen apart due to Satan’s manipulation are all worth fighting for.
It’s okay to not be okay. You have a source of strength that is unshakable. Ask God for the strength and direction that you need, and you will recover all that the enemy has taken from you.
A Closing Prayer:
God, You are fully aware of the things that the enemy has taken from me. You’ve seen my tears, You’ve heard my prayers and You know the pain that I’m experiencing due to this loss. I know that You are my source of strength. I know that with You, nothing is impossible. So, God, I need You to help me recover everything that has been taken from me. I know that You are with me, and I will not fail. In Christ’s name, Amen.