“David strengthened himself in the LORD.”
Have you ever found yourself playing the harp instead of pursuing your full circle?
You are moving forward with determination and energy, following the path God is guiding you toward. However, more frustrating than an unexpected detour is when you come to a complete stop with your destination in sight. Whether it’s a detour or a total halt, it feels like you have lost momentum toward your goal.
In the book Three Mile an Hour God by Kosuke Koyama, he makes the connection of a circle and our journey with God: “The circle gives you many chances. The circle is an image of ‘many times’ and not of ‘once for all.’ Do not despair!” (p. 13)*
Koyama equates the circle of our lives to an affirmed life. Our calling and the direction given by God serve as an “overwhelming affirmation” that also includes periods of wilderness.
“The experience of the overwhelming affirmation is immediately followed by the scene of the wilderness. Wilderness stands for precariousness and danger. But it signifies possibility and promise. In wilderness, danger and promise come together to us.” (p. 15)*
Although we may view the wilderness aspect of our journey as an unnecessary detour, and even in the opposite direction to our promised full circle, our full circle moments will more likely encompass wilderness rather than exclude it.
King David went through a wilderness experience as he awaited the fulfillment of his promise.
“Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on… So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.” (1 Samuel 16:13; 21-23, NLT)
Dramatically pulled from tending sheep in the fields, Samuel anointed David as the King of Israel in front of his father and older brothers. Shortly after his anointing, he was summoned to the palace to play his harp for the king. Knowing he was intended to be king, being placed as a musician in the palace must have been difficult and confusing for David, as he knew he was capable and destined for much more than just playing the harp.
Unfortunately, David’s journey would take nearly 30 years to come full circle. During that time, despite his attempts to embrace his God-given identity as a king—such as defeating Goliath, rising through the ranks of the Israelite army, and leading them to numerous victories—David lived as a fugitive rather than claiming the throne.
During one particularly challenging period in David’s time in the wilderness, he hit rock bottom. After returning from battle, he discovered that the town where he and his men had been camped had been burned to the ground. His wives and children, along with the families of the soldiers in his army, had been taken captive. This devastating loss led to a decline in his supporters’ trust and favor. (1 Samuel 30)
What do we do when our full circle moment feels distant, and we are greatly discouraged by everything around us?
We can learn from what David did.
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Discouraged and defeated, and with the grumblings of his army, David pulled aside to empty himself to be strengthened by the Lord.
“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6, NLT, bold added for emphasis)
Other translations put it this way:
“But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (ESV)
“But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the LORD his God.” (AMP)
“David took courage in the LORD his God.” (NAB)
The Hebrew word translated into – found strength, strengthened, encouraged, and took courage is ḥāzaq. The word can also be translated as recovered, repaired, or established. David’s response when hitting rock bottom was to turn to God for replenishment.
We often turn to other things for restoration when seeking true strength and recovery from God is what we need.
Inquire of the Lord
After regaining his strength, David asked God for guidance on what steps to take next.
“Then he said to Abiathar the priest, ‘Bring me the ephod!’ So Abiathar brought it. Then David asked the Lord, ‘Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?’ And the Lord told him, ‘Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!’” (1 Samuel 30:7-8, NLT)
Whether on a detour or at a complete standstill, we must draw our strength from God and seek His guidance on what to do next.
Full Circle | David to Jesus
David’s journey is another reflection of how God works in our lives, bringing us full circle through challenges and ultimately leading us to the life we are intended to have. Like Joseph and Moses, David’s story also illustrates God’s incredible redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in the gift of His Son, Jesus.
- David was a simple shepherd and was considered the high king of Israel. Jesus was a simple carpenter who is the King of Kings.
- David was called a man after God’s own heart. Jesus fulfilled God’s heart.
- David began the lineage of where the Messiah would come from. Jesus was from the line of David, and the crowds acknowledged that he was the Son of David.
- David’s kingship represented war, and his son, King Solomon’s reign, represented a time of peace. Jesus brings both together as He defeated our enemy and is the Prince of Peace who ushers in the peace that passes all understanding.
- David gave instructions for his son’s coronation, which included Solomon riding in on his own mule. Jesus rode in on a donkey, honored by the crowd who acknowledged Him with the words, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9, NRSV)
- David became king at 30 years of age. Jesus began His ministry at 30 years of age.
- David united the south and north kingdoms of Israel. Jesus unites Jews and Gentiles into one, the Kingdom of God.
David’s story serves as a reminder that even when we have our full circle in sight, we may still be pulled away from it. However, God is faithful to complete the good work He has started in us. Our full circle moment will eventually come to fruition.
I pray you experience supernatural strength and encouragement as you turn to Jesus to restore your depleted soul. May He answer you as you call on Him for direction and follow His voice and His voice only. May God bless you with many full circle moments. So be it, in Jesus’ name.
Meditate: Jesus is my strength.
Reflect: How have you become discouraged and even felt defeated in your journey? What would going to God to strengthen you like David did look like for you? What specific question do you need to ask God about your next steps?
Deeper: (As you read through these additional verses, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom and teach you more about how you can lean on Him to help you while circling around on your journey). 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Isaiah 40:26-31; Matthew 7:7-11
*Koyama, Kosuke. Three Mile an Hour God. SCM Press. 1979, 2021.
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(Bible References: NRSV – New Revised Standard Version, NLT – New Living Translation, NAB – New American Bible, ESV – English Standard Version, AMP – Amplified Version)
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