When all else fails — Strength in the Lord

"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God." — 1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)

 

In this passage, we encounter David in a moment not of triumph, but of intense personal anguish. The warrior-poet, the anointed king-in-waiting, the giant-slayer—now finds himself abandoned, accused, and threatened by the very men who once rallied behind him.

 

Ironically, David who once stood fearless before Goliath—a towering enemy who caused an entire army to tremble—now finds himself overwhelmed with distress, not from an external foe, but from his own people. The ones who had trusted his leadership are now embittered and enraged, ready to stone him. The loss of their families and possessions at Ziklag has pushed them to despair and blame. David, already weary from years of exile, faces what may be the lowest emotional point of his life.

 

There is no record of distress when he faced the Philistine giant. No hesitation, no fear. Why now? Because external enemies are one thing—internal betrayal is another. Goliath was formidable, but he was never close. David had confidence then, perhaps bolstered by public expectation and youthful zeal. But now, he is isolated. There is no Jonathan to counsel him, no prophet to give him a word, no soldiers to defend him. He is utterly alone—and yet, it is here that the theological center of David's life becomes most visible:

 

“But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

 

The theological implication of distress

The Hebrew word translated “distressed” (צַר, tsar) conveys a deep and constricting anguish—an emotional claustrophobia. It’s a word used in the Psalms to describe tight places, when the soul is under pressure. This was not mere discouragement; this was a soul-crushing burden, the kind that drains hope and distorts perspective.

 

But note the theological shift in the text. The turning point does not come from a change in circumstances—it comes from a change in posture. The narrative says David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” This is not mere religious optimism. This is the language of covenantal intimacy. David did not just turn to a distant deity; he turned to his God—the God who had chosen him, sustained him, anointed him, and walked with him in every valley. The God who promised never to leave him nor forsake him. 

 

The praxis of strengthening oneself in God

 

What does it mean to “strengthen oneself in the Lord”? Theologically, it is the act of spiritual reorientation—a deliberate return to the sovereign sufficiency of God when all earthly support systems fail.

 

David likely recalled the immutable character of God—His faithfulness, His covenant promises, His past deliverances. He turned his mind to the theology of God’s sovereignty and steadfast love. The God who had delivered him from the lion and the bear… from Saul’s spear… from Goliath’s sword… was still the same.

 

This act of turning to God is what theologians might call doxological resilience—the ability to worship and trust God even in the crucible of suffering, because one is rooted in the unshakable truth of who God is.

 

God: David’s strength, shield, and the lifter of his head

 

In Psalm 3—a psalm David wrote when fleeing from Absalom—he says: “But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)

 

Though written later, it encapsulates what David must have believed at Ziklag:

 

• God is his strength – not found in manpower, military success, or emotional support, but in divine empowerment. The Hebrew term for strength here implies both fortitude and endurance—the kind of strength that sustains in the wilderness and in battle.
• God is his shield – a protector in times of betrayal and threat. Though his own men wanted to stone him, God is his defense. He doesn't defend himself; he lets God take that role.
• God is the lifter of his head – In ancient culture, a bowed head signified shame, defeat, or sorrow. But God is the one who lifts the head—restoring dignity, reviving hope, and reestablishing purpose.

 

Indeed, what happens immediately after David turns to God affirms this. He consults the Lord, receives guidance, pursues the enemy, and recovers everything. Restoration follows reliance. Victory follows vulnerability—but only when that vulnerability is surrendered to God.

 

Application: When You Are at Ziklag

 

Ziklag moments come to us all—times when we are emotionally depleted, falsely accused, isolated, and overwhelmed. Friends may fail us. Plans may unravel. Support may vanish. Like David, we may have no one else to turn to.

 

But in those moments, we are invited into the same spiritual discipline: to strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God.

 

That may look like:

 

• Rehearsing God’s promises.
• Meditating on His past faithfulness.
• Worshiping through the pain.
• Praying in weakness, not strength.
• Refusing to allow emotions to eclipse theology.

 

The Lord does not always change our circumstances immediately—but He always offers Himself as our strength in the midst of them.

 

Conclusion: Strength for the Battle

 

David’s distress did not disqualify him from God’s purposes—it became the backdrop for God’s power. And so it is with us. When we feel crushed and abandoned, God is not absent. In fact, His nearness is most profound in our despair. Like David, we are called not merely to endure hardship, but to turn to the One who is unshaken by it.

 

The gospel reminds us that we have a Savior who was also abandoned, betrayed, and left utterly alone. Jesus too found strength in His Father as He faced the cross. And through His resurrection, He secured for us unfailing access to the same divine strength that upheld David.

 

So when you are surrounded by bitterness, when blame is cast your way, when there is no one left to encourage you—find strength in the Lord your God.

 

He is your strength. Your shield. The lifter of your head.

 

Prayer – Finding strength in God alone

 

Heavenly Father,

When I feel abandoned, overwhelmed, and surrounded by bitterness, help me remember what David knew in the darkest hour: You are my strength. You are not shaken by my circumstances. You are my shield when others turn against me. You are the lifter of my head when shame and sorrow weigh me down.

 

Remind me of who You are—the faithful God who has walked with me through every valley. When I have no one to encourage me, teach me to encourage myself in You. Let my distress drive me deeper into Your presence, and let Your Word be my anchor.

Like David at Ziklag, give me courage to rise, listen for Your voice, and obey. I rest in the truth that You are enough—even when everything else is gone. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.