Recovering the lost virtue
1 Samuel 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
David, a man after God's own heart, who had lost everything he had and was greatly distressed. But in the midst of his distress, David recovered the lost virtue of courage and was able to find his way back to God's plan for his life.
He had been on the run from King Saul for years, and had finally found refuge in the city of Ziklag. But while he and his men were away, the Amalekites raided the city, taking everything and everyone captive, including David's wives and children. David and his men were devastated and greatly distressed, and they wept until they had no more strength left.
But in the midst of his distress, David did not lose faith in God. He did not give up or give in to despair. Instead, he turned to the Lord for strength and guidance. In 1 Samuel 30 verse 8, we read that David "inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?'"
David knew that he could not recover what he had lost on his own. He needed the Lord's help and guidance. And so, he sought the Lord's counsel and received the answer he needed. He was to pursue the Amalekites, and he would surely recover all that had been taken from him.
David's example teaches us that we too must turn to the Lord when we have lost our virtues. We must seek His guidance and ask for His help in recovering what we have lost. We must not give up or give in to despair, but must have faith that God can and will restore us.
Perhaps you have lost the virtue of kindness, and find it difficult to show love to those around you. Or maybe you have lost the virtue of self-control, and find yourself giving in to temptation and sin. Whatever your struggle may be, know that God is able to help you recover what you have lost.
In Psalm 51:10, David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This should be our prayer as well. We must ask God to create in us a clean heart, to renew our spirits, and to help us recover the virtues that we have lost.
So let us follow David's example, and turn to the Lord for help and guidance. Let us not give up or give in to despair, but let us have faith that God can and will restore us.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew right sprouts withing me so that I can once again walk in your ways in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the courage to seek you when I'm in distress in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.