BOUNCING BACK IN A CRISIS

Turn to 1 Corinthians 30

The Greatest Stories have epic highs and lows.

When after it’s bad, it get’s worse, and then gets worse.

@Chariots of Fire: When Eric Liddel gets knocked down.

@Dark Night of the Soul

The Evil Day...

A specific day when everything falls apart.

Day of Adversity

Ephesians 6 talks about standing in the evil day...

@Job

THE HISTORY OF AMALEK:

They were nomads. Descendants of Esau.

Deuteronomy 25 - Moses said, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 18 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. 19 Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.

@ - It was like Pearl Harbor, when America was unexpectedly attacked unprovoked by the Japanese.

In Exodus 17 - Israel had crossed the Red Sea, God provided them water and then the Amalekites showed up and attacked them for no reason. They came in behind and the people who were the weakest, and feeble when they were tired and weary, and lagging behind were attacked and killed by the Amalekites. This was when Joshua was introduced…when the Amalekites showed up. This is when Moses stood on the hill and Aaron and Hur held his arms up.

And God said, I will make war with Amalek for generations and blot them out from the face of the earth.

In Numbers 14 - The Amalekites attacked them.

In Judges 3 - The Amalekites attacked Israel Deuteronomy

In Judges 6 - In the time of Gideon when Israel would plant crops, the Amalekites would come in with the Midianites and attack them and plunder them and take their crops.

In Judges 10 - there is a reference to the Amalekites oppressing Israel .

They were basically a terrorist group. They kept showing up and stealing, killing, and destroying.

Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel. He was the most handsome man in Israel and the tallest man in Israel at the time.

But he disobeyed the Lord multiple times.

The Prophet Samuel told him that God would take the kingdom away and give it to a man who would obey with all his heart.

Saul was commanded by God to go and attack the Amalekites and wipe them out. In chapter 14, he only half obeyed. He defeated some of them. and left alive some of them.

Because of Saul’s disobedience… He lost the throne.

And Israel continued to be haunted by Amalek for years after this.

It was an Amalekite that eventually killed Saul after he fell on his sword.

BACKDROP:

David had been anointed to be the next King. He had killed Goliath.

King Saul became very jealous of him and kept trying to kill him.

David was running for his life, hiding in caves, and avoid being caught by Saul.

He had built up a small army of 600 men who traveled and fought with him.

David moved Gath, the land of the Philistines to get away from Saul.

He set up a place to live in a city called Ziklag and he and his men had moved their families and homes there.

One fine day when and his men...

English Standard Version Chapter 30

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire 2 and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 3 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 5 David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him

Then jump to Verse 18...

English Standard Version Chapter 30

David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. 20 David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Wait what?

If this had been a movie and you had gotten up and gone to the bathroom and came back, you would be like. Hey wait a minute? What happened?

The Amalekites were agents of Satan...

The Bible called them the enemies of the Lord.

THE CRISIS:

The Amalekites raided David’s city.

They stole his possessions, burned the city with fire, and kidnapped their wives and children.

David and his people lifted up their voices and wept until there no strength left to weep.

Vs. 4 - underline “Until there was no strength”

Vs. 6 - David was greatly distressed. (underline DISTRESSED)

Vs. 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (ESV)

The King James says he “encouraged himself”

This Hebrew word is found 290 times in the Old testament. It means to be strong. To grow in strength. To take courage. To grab a hold of courage.

David was familiar with Israel’s past...

He knew that in Deuteronomy 3 , God told Moses to charge, encourage and strengthen Joshua. (Vs. 28)

God also personally encouraged Joshua with the words...

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Do not be afraid that you shake in fear. Do not be dismayed and get so discouraged that you break under the pressure.

Why? Because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua went on to win great victories and do well.

But David didn’t have anyone to encourage him. All the people around him were angry, bitter, hurt, and they had turned on him too. He needed encouragement bad, but no one was there to give it.

So....He strengthened himself. What? Can you even do that.

HOW DID DAVID STRENGTHEN HIMSELF? Wouldn’t it be cool to know what he was thinking...

We have the Psalms sharing what he was thinking and what happened!

English Standard Version Psalm 42

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

Psalm 18 - The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

This was his banner of victory song.

18 I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, (God is called a ROCK about 20 times in the Psalms) my shield, and the horn of my salvation (a horn represented strength and status, the bigger and stronger the horn, the more powerful and established was the animal, horns were instruments as well), God is the HORN of my salvation

my stronghold.

How do you do it David? Vs. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

(Now he describes the evil day)

4 The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me (torrents or flood) 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me; (I was in a death trap) the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Jump down to

Vs. 17 He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, (The evil day) but the Lord was my support.

20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his rules[c] were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

HOW DID GOD REALLY HELP YOU DAVID? Be specific.

Vs. 28 For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. (I’m confused. I driving in the dark. I’m freaking out) 29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 This God—his way is perfect (He’s perfect) the word of the Lord proves true; (His Word Proves to be true) he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— 32 the God who equipped me with strength (You say, I can’t do it) and made my way blameless. 33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for war, (You say, I don’t have the skills) so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, (You say, there’s no path) and my feet did not slip.

WHAT DID DAVID DO WITH THE STRENGTH AND ABILITY THAT GOD PROVIDED?

I went on the OFFENSE.

Vs. 37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. 38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. 39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

HOW DID GOD FLIP THE SITUATION?

43 You delivered me from strife with the people (his own people wanted to stone him) you made me the head of the nations; (He became king right after this) people whom I had not known served me.

46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation— 47 the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, 48 who rescued me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you delivered me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. 50 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

I SMELL JESUS ALL OVER THIS PSALM...

Vs. 2 The Lord is my rock (1 Cor. 10 describes Jesus as a ROCK.

Vs. 2 Jesus is the horn of God’s salvation. (Jesus means the Lord is my salvation) Vs. 3 - I called upon the Lord and am saved. (Romans 10:13)

Vs. 4- the snares of death confronted me (hell)

Vs. 20 - Jesus cleans us from our sins and makes us righteous,

Nobody has truly been able to keep themselves totally blameless and pure before the Lord except Jesus.

HOW DID GOD REALLY HELP YOU DAVID? Be specific. Vs. 28 - Jesus is the lamp and light of the World.

Vs. 35 - your right hand supported me, Jesus is the head of the nations.

Vs. 46 The Lord lives (The Resurrection)

50 Great salvation he brings to his king (Jesus is God’s King) and shows steadfast love to his anointed (Jesus is Messiah: anointed) to David and his offspring forever. (David’s offspring - Jesus is the Son of David)

On top of this...JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE COME BACK KING:

In Mark 14, something surprising happens…Jesus gets stressed and troubled.

English Standard Version Chapter 14

32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”

In Luke 22, we see some more details...

English Standard Version Chapter 22

41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

JESUS: How did Jesus strengthen himself under intense distress...

@Epic turn of events: Jesus was never ruffled, fearful, or distressed.. He was a Rock. This is something very unique.

1. He got alone so He earnestly pray.

2. He humbled Himself and became weak in God’s presence.

2 Corinthians 12:9- God said to Paul, “...my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

@ Blessed are the poor in Spirit.

Often tears are involved. David

New Living Translation Psalm 6

I am worn out from sobbing.

All night I flood my bed with weeping,

drenching it with my tears.

He says in Psalm 42 “My tears have been my food day and night.”

Hebrews 5:7...

English Standard Version Chapter 5

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence

@The warrior is a child.

3. He related to God as His Father (remembering His identity as His Beloved Son)

When the evil day comes…Ephesians 6

4. He prayed specifically and repeatedly.

Jesus got to the point and prayed very specifically.

He also prayed three times. Paul prayed three times.

Elijah prayed 7 times until the rain came.

It’s a battle. Keep praying until you get the strength you need.

God is not obligated to follow our time table.

@He is not a fast food drive thru window.

@Phil. 4:6-7 - Keep praying until you get a peace.

5. He completely surrendered to the Father’s will.

He submitted Himself in prayer before obeying in action.

Why should God strengthen you if you are going to disobey Him?

6. He arose in God’s strength to overcomer evil with good.

Jesus stood up and was bold.

7. He influenced others to help Him fulfill God’s will.

The Warrior Is A Child

by Twila Paris

Lately I've been winning battles left and right But even winners can get wounded in the fight People say that I'm amazing strong beyond my years But they don't see inside of me, I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armor The warrior is a childUnafraid because His armor is the best But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest

People say that I'm amazing Never face retreat But they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down They don't know Who picks me up when no one is around I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child