IN THE MIDDLE OF ZIKLAG

Have you ever heard the expression, "I am stuck between a rock and a hard place?"  I am not sure who spoke this famous phrase but it's has been a familiar location in my life once or twice.  Sometimes, I have wondered, "How am I going to get out of this one?"  As we clearly evaluate our surroundings, we have looked at ALL our options but we see no clear solution in sight.  With no clear direction for our problems, we begin to allow the spirit of fear to overcome us.  No matter what direction we turn, it seems as life is going to stay in the middle of Ziklag.

 As the oil is poured over David's head, I wonder what he thought of Samuel's prophetic word over his life.  Was he afraid?  Did he feel insecure?  Was he shocked?  Scripture doesn't record David's feelings on the matter.  Nevertheless, David wasn't aware of God's calling or Samuel's purpose to his house, he was faithfully attending the sheep.  David's calling was confirmed through the prophet Samuel, witnessed in front of his family, and a promised word waiting to be fulfilled.  When the Spirit of God calls us to serve the body of Christ it will be confirmed through the Word and the witness of the church.  It's never goes any other way! The call of God is always with a promise and everything in your life will be used for preparation.  David's reign as king wasn't instantaneous, so he was being prepared the moment the oil was poured.  The anointing separated him for God's work, empowered him, and left a promise waiting to be fulfilled. (I Samuel 16:13)

With only a promise and a life changing experience, David returns to be a shepherd under his father to start his preparation.  First, David had to learn the PURPOSE of a leader-it's risking your life to save others. Second, he had to learn the call doesn't come without a BATTLE, the enemy will use different weapons to wage war. (Lion/Bears) (I Samuel 17:34)  Third, he had to learn WHO to trust in this battles; it wasn't in his own abilities and he couldn't rely on others-he had to learn to trust God.  Next, he had to personal experience God's miraculous deliverance, so he gained confidence of WHAT he believes.  As his past experiences TAUGHT him, he could run towards his enemy to overtake him. (1 Samuel 17:48)

In Ziklag, David faces opposition not from his enemies but his followers - they want to kill him.  Once the "popular boy" the city sang praises about, he is now a wanted man by the king.  As the king hunting pursues David for eight years in the desert, he nearly lost it all.  He has no homeland, no close friendship, and no normal way of life, so he finds escape in the enemies camp.  David serves as a bandit under the Philistine army, he serves faithfully to destroy the Amalekites.  David was so faithful to the mission of the Philistine's he would destroy everything in sight: men, women, children, and keep the livestock.  (I Samuel 27:8-9)  So to add salt to injury, the Philistine rulers have convinced the king to dismiss David from the next assignment because of their fear of him. "Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens thousands?"

"It's not easy to wait for God's promised to be fulfilled especially when the enemies taunt us with their songs.  If we long to be fulfill God's call upon our lives, we have to willing to go through the desert.  The desert experience will cause us to feel "pressed down" or "winding" (the meaning of Ziklag) with no shelter, resources, or anyone except God alone.  Moses was led into the desert for forty years, David was wandering for eight years, and Jesus was LED by the spirit to the desert before his earthly ministry began.(Matthew 4:1)  It can be an uncomfortable experience but it's can't be passed. It can only be passed as Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that come from the mouth of God.' (Matthew 4:4)  As David and his men arrive in Ziklag, they are expecting the joyful reunion of their families, the comforts of home, and peace.  Instead of joyful reunion the men are distressed with sorrow, they have no strength left to weep. (I Samuel 30:4)  No comfort of home or possible future ahead, it's burned to the ground and their families taken.

 We have to learn, Gods Word is sufficient in our lives. It has the power to transform, empower, and to encourage us. David had to learn to STRENGTHEN himself in the Lord. David had to draw from the SOURCE of his life, God was enough to deliver him. David had a mob of men wanting to kill him, so he couldn't seek for their wisdom or support.  He wasn't going to find the support of the sheep, His support was His Shepherd.  Only in Ziklag could David learn a valuable lesson God is ENOUGH!  Yet, in all of this God had mercy upon David because his enemies didn't destroy him or his family.  Also, David and his men were dismissed from the army before anything worse could have happened.  David had men who desired to murder him, so what's are you facing today?

What are you facing in the middle of your Ziklag?  Are you standing in the middle of ashes with no hope, support, or shelter?  Are you questioning if God's promise will come to pass?  If all you have is a promise of God; it's all you need.  Besides Ziklag meaning "pressed down" or "winding" it also mean's fortress. ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/ziklag/)  You are not without HOPE!  Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved!  As David inquired of the Lord, He found his fortress who strengthened him, answered him, and led the way to destroy the enemies plot.  Not only did David get his family back but everything the enemy took from him. (1 Samuel 30:19)  So, if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's ok!  The rock is all you need to stand secure.