The Joy of Your Salvation

Synopsis     1Sam 30:13-22     11/9/2018

David and his men followed after the Amalekite raiders who had sacked Ziklag. Along the way, they discovered an Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by the Amalekite raiders. So, they fed him and gave him protection in exchange for information.

The Egyptian slave led David and his men to the Amalekite raiders. When they arrived, David and him men found the Amalekite raiders celebrating their great haul of booty. So David’s men engaged and defeated the Amalekites. And they recovered all of their people. Besides that, they also took possession of a great haul of plunder.

And so, David led his men and their families back. It wasn’t long before the four-hundred reunited with the forces that had been left behind at the Wadi Besor. As they did, there was some contention amongst the men on who should receive a share in the plunder.

David’s Family Restored

God restored David’s. Understandably, it was an extraordinary emotional relief. More than that, it was a great joy.

I try to imagine my family kidnapped and taken away. The horror and anguish of not knowing what happened would overwhelm. And the feeling of powerlessness in being able to help. And the uncertainty of knowing where to even begin to look for them.

David and his family experienced all of this. And as I reflect on this moment, it must not be lost on me: this was the future royal family of Israel. For some reason, God allowed even them to experience this heartache for a few days. If nothing else, it’s a sobering reminder that the distance from royalty to slavery was only ever a few moments in time.

But, for them the anguish was overcome with the joy of restoration. It was a joy that would be hard to forget.

The Joy of Salvation

Your returning to God was just that: a returning. In that moment you suddenly realized that God made your spirit to be happy in Him. He meant for your spirit to be happy in relationship with Jesus.

And on that day when you fully came to Him, this was your entire satisfaction. This was your joy.

So remember.

And re-enter.

Listen quietly to God in Prayer.

“Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:14