“But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6, NKJV)

David was a fugitive (1 Sam. 26:19,27:1-2) for many years before he settled at Ziklag. David was not present in Ziklag when the town was destroyed. David, with a small army was fighting in the surrounding areas when Ziglag was raided, burnt and all the inhabitants kidnapped. We can imagine the horror and grief when David and his men returned to their homes and found ruins. They wept and David was “greatly distressed”. He was pressed into a tight corner (1 Samuel 30: 1-7). We don’t blame the men for being grieved, but some wanted to stone David. Just imagine. The unending pressure of Saul, the exhaustion of continuous battle, the unyielding experience of loss, the intense concern of the safety of their families and the mutiny of the men would have left David in grave desperation. David lived a life of wilderness during his time of exile.

Yet God was using the difficulties in his life to make him a man of God and to prepare him for the throne. David strengthened himself in the Lord (v 6b). He realized he needed time alone to hear from God (Psalm 103:3-10). David ordered the ephod, (v 7) and moved away from his embittered men and the chaotic scene. He sought a place of quietness and stillness to strengthen his soul. God encouraged him, showed him what to do and provided him with the necessary guidance as well as the strength to do it. With God’s help he defeated the enemy, he was able to save his own family, the families of his men and they managed to restore their wealth.

When we start to look at God through our circumstances instead of looking at our circumstances through God’s eyes, we will lose faith, patience, and courage, and grow distant from God. In times of difficulty we need to find a quiet place, lift our soul unto God, (Phil. 4:6), hear His voice, experience His loving kindness, and in faith trust that He will guide us when we need it the most (Psalm 143:8). When the outlook is poor, it is time to try the uplook.