LSM SUNDAY MESSAGE 5-5-2019
THEME: DIVINE PEACE AND ASSURED ESTABLISHMENTS
TOPIC: Recovering what the enemy has stolen
Text: 1Samuel 30:8-20
INTRODUCTION: When men begin to weep then you must know that it has to do with a situation that has touched their hearts. David and his men were in a situation where they wept until they were too exhausted to weep anymore. Loved ones, women, sons, daughters and aged ones had been carried away captives to be used as slaves by the Amalekites. This situation was precipitated by self- will and disobedience. Is there anyone here today or you have anyone close to you that have been robbed and have been taken captives by the enemy? You have wept so much over the situation and you are wondering if there is any solution. God has a message for you today that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. I have come to proclaim by the word of God that your joy has come this morning in Jesus name.
1. Recovery is not the best option: Recovery is an admission that control has been lost somewhere and denotes the process of regaining control of that which was lost. The best option is not to lose control or allow him to steal in the first instance. The main job of the enemy is to steal kill and destroy according to John 10:10. This means for him not to steal from you, you need to be on the alert and make sure no door is open for him to get in. The reason why David and his men were in this situation is that they opened the door by self will and disobedience. David and his men had gone to enemy territory and were drafted to fight a wrong war which eventually they did not fight; war against the people of God. By the time they returned, their town had been ransacked by the enemy. Are you in disobedience and are prone to self-will in opposition to the will of God? You need to acknowledge the area in your life where this is occurring. This creates an open door through which the enemy is always ready to take advantage of. God need you to repent and turn to Him today and God will shut the open door. He is the one that opens no man can shut and when He shuts no one can open (Rev. 3:7). David turned back to seeking God and got ready to obey whatever God wanted him to do. From that moment God shut the open door in David’s life. God will shut every evil open door as you repent today in Jesus name.
2. Recovery requires Seeking and obeying God’s instructions: Having experienced the anger of his followers who wanted to stone him to death, David decided to flee to God. He sought God through God’s medium, the Ephod containing the Urim and the Thummim. What medium are you using to seek God? There are so many today that are using unacceptable mediums to seek God’s will. The only acceptable way to seek God is Jesus the Word of God. The bible says there is no other name given to man except Jesus by which we can seek God. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the father except through me (Jn. 14:6). Sometimes we seem to think it is about us and seek our own ways. It is not left to us to choose considering that we are filthy before and unworthy. If not for the mercy and compassion of God, David would have been consumed by his self will and disobedience. The bible warns that many and broad are the ways that lead to destruction (Matt. 7:13). It is only God’s way, Jesus that leads to life and deliverance. Not only should we seek God through Jesus but obey His voice and all He said in His word. David heard God’s voice and pursued and overtook the enemy as God commanded. I prophesy into someone life today that you will pursue and overtake all the enemies that have stolen from you in Jesus name as you seek God through His way and Word in Jesus name.
3. Recovery is by God’s strength: David and his men pursued the enemy as directed by God. Some of the men were exhausted by the way and dropped off. God is not interested in our strength but is interested in our effort. It shows our agreement in principle with Him. Even with a little faith as a mustard seed, it is possible to move mountains (Lk. 17:6). This is because when we do the possible God does the impossible. David and his men could not find any clue until they met an Egyptian servant that had been left to die by the Amalekites. Of course this was God‘s weak thing that he would use. Sometimes, we overlook little details not knowing that it could be that which God had provided to show forth His strength. Because it would be by God’s strength, David and his men revived the Egyptian and he eventually led them to the camp of the Amalekites. No wonder the bible says that God uses the weak things of this world to confound the mighty (1 Cor. 1:27). The mighty Amalekites were having a party but suddenly were confounded when David and his men pounced on them taking more than 24 hours to route them completely.
In one day, what David lost in 16 months, relationship with God, passion, confidence, direction, wives, purpose, vision, and gladness of heart, God made him to recover all. Whatsoever you have lost, it is also possible for this to happen to you if you will let go and let God. My prayer is that God will grant the grace to surrender in Jesus name