In 1 Samuel 29 & 30, David wakes up expecting to be going to war with the Philistines who are going to attack the Israelites. We don't know what David was thinking or what his plan was, but we know he trusts God and His will and plan. David quickly learns that the plan is not for him to participate in that war. He is told he is going to have to go back to his city and sit this one out. When they get back, they find their city has been plundered and their wives, children, and belongings are all missing. You can respond to hopelessness and hardship in bitterness and hatred or by seeking God and trusting His guidance. Both will strengthen you but in opposite ways. David turns to God and is strengthened. God leads them to their wives and children and all is restored. They lost nothing. God gets all the glory and honor and victoriously restores all. Jesus died on the cross so we could be fully and victoriously restored. When we are hopeless, we can choose to turn to Jesus and He will give us strength and lead us to restoration. God gives us the victory for all eternity when we choose Jesus for our lives.
