In every battle your goal should be three fold: Pursue the enemy; Catch up with the enemy and Recover everything that the enemy took from you. You cannot expect to catch the enemy unless you pursue of the enemy and you cannot pursue the enemy unless you know the enemy. Finnally you will never recover what you have lost to your enemy without finding the enemy.
David was once in a horrible situation. In one single day, he lost his wives, his children and his family house. David and his family were like you and your family before God. At the time of this crisis David was not an idol worshiper who did not know God. In fact he had already been anointed King over Israel by Samuel, one of the greatest priests in the History of Israel; received all kinds of promises and prophesies about how great he was going to be. But in spite of those promises, David was leaving in exile, pursued by King Saul and otherwise had nothing to show for the the divine accolades.
Some of us are there right now. You read the bible and the promises, you look at your life and its does not add up! Some are ready for marriage but no suitor, some have suitors but no money, and some are married but no peace in their home. In fact some wish they were still single. The truth is that it is not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” you will deal with the challenges of life in our families and homes.
What then should we do when we are faced with a challenge that is bigger than us? Here are five steps to pursue to the enemy, overtake the enemy and recover whatever is lost.
1. Understand that it happens to all: Beloved, these things happen to all of us. Understand that the devil did not select you because of you, and God has not rejected you either because of your sins. God says” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43.2) Notice the “Whens” in that verse. Take a moment to access your situation and appreciate the magnitude of the loss.
2. Weep, Mourn but by all means get over it: Take another moment to cry, lament, and brood over the loss or hardship. Some say it’s therapeutic but I say it’s a part of the process of recovery. The scripture allows us to weep for one night, but no more than one night. If the weeping continues to the morning it becomes a sin. In 1 Sam 30:1-11, David’s wives, children were taken and his house burnt down by an invading tribe called Amalekites while David was away. When David saw this, David and his men wept until they were tired of weeping. Weep as hard as you can but stop weeping as quickly as you can. Do not dwell on “why me” for too long. Asking why and complaining will never get you out of the situation.
3. Encourage yourself: David encourage himself in the Lord. You cannot entertain fear at this time. The bible says that if we faint on the day of adversity our strength is small. Avoid the temptation to seek encouragement from your friends, your pastors, your prophets or drug and alcohol. Resist that temptation and seek the Lord first. Separate yourself for instructions and ask the Lord for what you should do. Remember He is the commander in Chief and there is war in your house. “And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And He answered him, Pursue: for you shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all” I Sam 30:8. Do not do anything until you hear from God.
4. Beware of Distractions: The devil may present a magnified version of your situation to you. Stay focused.
Do not be distracted or succumb to the pressures from inside and outside your house. Learn to say “no” to any suggestion that appears to be helpful but not in agreement with the command that the Lord gave you. When David and his men came to a water spring, 200 out of his 600 men opted to rest for a while when the Lord had commanded them to pursue the enemy. David quickly left them behind and continued with the 400 men that were aligned with the program. Always remove yourself from people that are not going with the program. Be aware that this distraction can come from your inner circle and make it hard to resist. You must continue with the command that God gave you. Abraham waited for 86 years until Sarah got tired of waiting and offered Abraham an Alternative to God’s plan. David saw the enemy spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing at his expense.
5. Persevere and Overcome: Be prepared to fight to finish. Only overcomers become winners. David and his men fought from early morning to the evening of the next day before they recovered their lost. I Sam 30:17. Jacob said “I will not let you go unless you bless me” Gen. 32:36. The hardest part of this process is finishing.
