"Coping With Crisis"

Aug.17/03 1Sam.30:1-9,23; 2Sam.15:13-37; 16:5-14

Can It Get Any Worse?

If we're alive and breathing, we're susceptible to troubles. The question is not so much if we'll have to go through crises as when the next crisis is going to occur. We all have difficulties from time to time, some minor, but some can be life-threatening. But the message of hope in the Bible is that the Lord will help us through the tough times if we turn to Him. As Isaiah 43(2f) says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned...For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

             Perhaps you are going through a crisis of some sort and can relate to this unfortunate hard-hat employee whose report on an accident form went like this: "When I got to the building I found that the hurricane had knocked off some bricks around the top. So I rigged up a beam with a pulley at the tope of the building and hoisted up a couple barrels full of bricks. When I had fixed the damaged area, there were a lot of bricks left over. Then I went to the bottom and began releasing the line. Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was -- and before I knew what was happening the barrel started coming down, jerking me up.

             "I decided to hang on since I was too far off the ground by then to jump, and halfway up I met the barrel of bricks coming down fast. I received a hard blow on my shoulder. I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers pinched and jammed in the pulley. When the barrel hit the ground hard, it burst its bottom, allowing the bricks to spill out.

             "I was now heavier than the barrel. So I started down again at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming up fast and received severe injuries to my shins. When I hit the ground, I landed on the pile of spilled bricks, getting several painful cuts and deep bruises. At this point I must have lost my presence of mind, because I let go of my grip on the line. The barrel came down fast -- giving me another blow on my head and putting me in the hospital.

             "I respectfully request sick leave." (!)

             What a tale! Well, maybe our troubles aren't exactly like that. Yet there are days it seems you just can't win, no matter what you do. Today as we continue our study of the life of David, we'll see how when he was nearly overwhelmed by a crisis, he didn't "lose his grip" but found strength to cope by turning to God and surrounding himself with steadfast friends.

When All Seems Lost...Find Strength in God

If you plotted the highs and lows of your life on a timeline, for many people it would be a pretty jagged line. [graphic: Life Application Bible p.521, "Highs and Lows of David's Life"] Here's a diagram of the highs and lows in the life of David in the Old Testament. Previously we referred to his sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah, and the subsequent confrontation by the prophet Nathan in which he pronounced God's discipline for David stealing another's precious little "ewe lamb" (2Sam.11-12). Today we'll look at a couple of the other lowest of David's lows - the destruction of Ziklag, and Absalom's rebellion.

             Although David had been anointed by a prophet to be Israel's next king, he was violently opposed as a threat by the current king, Saul - though David did nothing to undermine Saul's reign, and was a loyal subject. David was forced to flee along with 600 others and found protection in the town of Ziklag, 40 miles southwest of Jerusalem in Philistine territory. In return for sanctuary he and his men made a long 3 days' journey (over 50 miles) to the north, where the Philistines were preparing to fight the Israelites; but the other Philistine leaders objected to their assistance, fearing they might turn against them in the battle. David's group were thus spared from fighting their own countrymen, but returned south only to find the Amalekites had pounced upon Ziklag in their absence, burned the town and captured all their families and livestock. (The Amalekites were ancient enemies, ordered destroyed by God and whom David had been raiding previously.) 1Sam.30:3f says, "When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep." How terrible to find all your possessions and loved ones gone! Those who've endured house fires or water damage can probably relate to this.

             Now, consider the grounds David would have had for grumbling at God over the destruction of the town. He was a refugee from Saul for no fault of his own; it wasn't his choice to be anointed by the prophet. Wasn't it bad enough that for safety's sake he'd been forced to life outside Israel, exiled in a territory where foreign gods were worshipped? And hadn't he acted honorably in going to offer help the Philistines fight? For that was the usual obligation when one took up residence in a country, you agreed to fight for the leader whenever there was conflict. David had been a man of his word, he'd kept his promise; and for this he gets his home wiped out?! Surely if there were anyone who had a legitimate grievance against God for letting something happen, it was David.

             Not only was David upset; so were his companions. Everyone was depressed, discouraged, sullen, and enraged to return and find their community burned and families disappeared. Verse 6 relates, "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters." I guess so! I would have been grumbling, too - "What are we doing here, running around fighting other people's battles while our own families are attacked? What kind of scatterbrained leader would take us so far away and leave our wives and kids vulnerable? Why should we follow him any longer - he'll pay for this!"

             It is precisely here, in this cavern of despair, this abyss where everything appears lost, that David's godly character shines through. Read the end of verse 6: "But David found strength in the LORD his God." David didn't throw his hands up and give up or take his life; he turned to God, when everyone else was against him. And from that point on, things started to turn around. He inquired of God whether to pursue the raiders, and the answer was "yes". In fact they were so successful they got everything back. Vv.18f: "David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken.David brought everything back." What a reversal! All seemed lost; yet God wonderfully provided for them to get it all back, and more besides. And David gave credit to God for the results. Some troublemakers didn't want to share the plunder with those who'd been too weak to continue the pursuit, but David ordered them to share it all. Listen to the way he acknowledges God's sovereignty in the whole affair in v.23: "David replied, "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us."

             Have you suffered some seemingly irreversible loss? Do the odds seem stacked against you? Is there some area in your life in which you keep experiencing defeat and setbacks? Don't blame God - He's the One who can help you! He does allow trials to come to test and mature us. He seeks to develop in us a mindset like David's, that turns things over to God continually when we realize we can't do it on our own. Don't become bitter against God; Hebrews 12(15) warns that bitterness "causes trouble and defiles many". Turn it all over to God, yield to His plan for you; trust that He is ultimately good and kind, able to make all things work together for good to those who love Him (Rom.8:28). Only He can repay for the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). Of all books, it is the book of Lamentations (3:22f) that promises, "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

A Son's Treason, but God's Faithfulness

The other major low point of David's life occurred towards the end of his life, when he'd been king for over 30 years and was probably in his early 60s. You know how it is when a government has been in power for a long time, people become restless and long for change. In this case, the man who seized the opportunity happened to be David's own son, Absalom.

             Absalom's classmates had no doubt voted him "most likely to succeed"; he had everything going for him - good looks, royal upbringing, limitless inheritance. Combine this with personal charisma and political savvy and ambition, and you have a top candidate for a popular leader. 2Sam.14:25f records, "In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom.From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.Whenever he cut the hair of his head— he used to cut his hair from time to time when it became too heavy for him— he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard." Apparently back in those days a lush crop of hair was taken to be a sign of vigour. Now there's a lot more to leadership than a full head of hair and perfect set of teeth, but these do wonders for first impressions. Even today in politics too often we get drawn in by charisma and appearance rather than reserving judgment until we do a searching evaluation of a candidate's policies (for instance, whether their professed religious beliefs will have any actual impact on their governing, or they hide behind the misunderstood so-called "separation of church and state"...a current national example comes to mind!).

             Little by little, over a period of about 4 years, Absalom began to cash in his equity in appearance and charm by stealing the hearts of those who came to court. 2Sam.15 tells how he was the first Israelite leader to use a chariot and horses; he even had a motorcade (on foot!) of 50 men who ran ahead of his chariot, wherever he went. (When we were in Congo, the roads were sometimes closed so national leaders could go speeding along in big black limos with several police on motorcycles ahead and behind - an impressive procession.) Absalom travelled in style. He also placed himself strategically by the city entrance, telling people who came with problems that the king had no representative to hear them, and how much better things would be if only he, Absalom, were a judge. Plus whenever an Israelite came to him, he would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. V.6 concludes, "so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel."

             D'you get the contrast here? On the one hand, a balding white-haired King David in his early 60s, probably out of shape and rather paunchy around the middle. His circulation is starting to give him problems, and being a warrior he never was too much for small talk. He's probably a little "out of touch" with the situation on the street. On the other hand, young Absalom in his prime at 30, magnificent looks, suave and smooth politician, always knows just the thing to say to make people smile and nod; on top of it all, capitalizing on his father's weaknesses and promising justice for all those hard done by. You can guess what the polls would be.

             Finally, Absalom seized his opportunity. At a nearby city he has himself proclaimed king in the presence of many of the nation's elite. When David hears the news, he senses the change in the wind and immediately decides to flee for his life. V.14, he says to his officials, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom.We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword."

             Now, remember, David did have an option here. He could have stood his ground and gone to battle, plunging the nation into civil war. To avoid that, and having to fight his own son, he opts to quietly and quickly stand aside. But this means leaving everything behind; he can only take his immediate household with him. It was a sad, shameful moment -- turned out of your palace by your own son! V.30, "David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot.All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up."

             Yet again at this low ebb of David's life, we see him again turning to God and trusting the Lord to work things out. The priest Zadok and Levites brought the ark of the covenant from the tabernacle; another priest offered sacrifices until the people had left the city. David sends the ark back, and listen to the undercurrent of his trust in God as he says in vv.25f, "If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again.But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him." (Reminiscent of Job [13:15] saying, "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.")

             When David hears that one of his best advisors has joined the conspiracy with Absalom, he prays, "O Lord, turn Ahithopel's counsel into foolishness." David acknowledges he himself has no control over the developments, but appeals to God to determine the course of events.

             Later, a man named Shimei from the same clan as former king Saul calls down curses upon David, throws stones at him and showers him with dirt (2Sam.16:13). There's entirely no need for this; one of David's bodyguards offers to go over and cut the man's head off. But David doesn't let him; he says, "Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." So you're left with this strange picture of the king and entourage making their way along while Shimei curses and throws things at him. David tolerated the abuse because he believed God would judge justly, and was in charge even of his misfortunes.

             And before long, the Lord did answer David's prayer: Absalom refused to listen to wise counsel, and lost in battle to David's forces. His hair which was such a source of pride for him was actually his downfall - it became entangled in tree branches and pulled him off his mule, whereupon he was killed by enemies. David was restored to his palace and the kingship.

A Few Good Friends

Jesus' Great Command to us was to love God totally, with our whole heart soul mind and strength; and to love our neighbour as ourself (Luke 10:27). While David's initial impulse in both these crises is to turn to God and find strength there, we can also see the role of helpful friends. They become means of grace, putting God's deliverance into action. When Ziklag was destroyed, the 600 men who had been bitterly talking of mutiny roused themselves to pursue the enemy over mile and miles, and when they found them, to fight from dusk one day until evening the next. (Don't forget that they had just returned from a 100-mile overland march up to the north and back; in fact, their pursuit was so draining that 200 men became too exhausted to continue and had to wait behind. What dedication, perseverance, fitness, and skill David's troops showed to pull off a victory!) Real friends stick with you through thick and thin, no matter what. They may think you're crazy but they don't give up on you. Friends are God's gift; your investment of time in them is insurance for the tough times when you'll be needing them.

             In our second case, Absalom's deadly conspiracy, note the loyalty of David's followers again. In 2Sam.15:15 his officials respond to his call to flee: "Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses." They didn't try to distance themselves or point out the shift in the political climate, but stuck by his side even though the prospects were dim.

             An example of the stalwart faithfulness of David's buddies is Ittai the Gittite - this man was a Philistine from Gath, not even one of David's countrymen. A professional soldier most likely, who could easily be forgiven for swapping loyalty to the incoming usurper. David deliberately gave him an easy "out", telling him to go back to stay with "King Absalom" (even David's starting to acknowledge him as king!) rather than wandering around with him as he flees. But Ittai replies in v.21, swearing by Israel's God not a Philistine god, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be." How's that for a pledge of allegiance! This man was ready to die alongside David if need be. That's the kind of friend we as Christians are called to be: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (Jn.15:13) Often at weddings Ruth's pledge to Naomi is used (Ruth 1:16f), but Ittai's is just as solemn and touching.

             Other key friends retain their loyalty to David and prove invaluable in his eventual restoration as king. There are the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and their sons, show risk their lives to send messages and keep David in the communication loop at court. There's Hushai the Arkite, who meets David at the summit of the Mount of Olives, with his own robe torn and dust on his head as a sign of mourning (2Sam.15:32). Friends cry with you and share your heartache. David sends Hushai back to Jerusalem to counter enemy advice, and in the end it's Hushai's advice that wins out and paves the way for David's return. Friends do what's most needed, whether it's there at your side or taking your case where something can be done about it.

The Valley of Vision

So when life deals you a blow, rather than throwing a pity party, remember that down on your knees is a good place to start praying. Like David, try to discern what God might be wanting to teach you through the circumstances. If it's discipline, accept it as from a loving Father, for "the Lord disciplines those He loves...God is treating you as sons." (Heb.12:6f) Humble yourself and call on the Lord for help; keep worshipping Him who both "gives" and "takes away" (Job 1:21). Trust that through the challenge God is making you a better person, more conformed to the image of His Son, whose sufferings the apostle Paul was conscious of being privileged to share (Eph.4:13; Rom.8:17,29; Col.1:24; 2Cor.1:5; Php.3:10). And you don't have to "tough it alone" on the human scale: call on your friends and dare to be honest about what you're facing. Besides partnering in prayer, often other people have gone through something similar and can relate to your stress and be a sympathetic encourager.

             I close with this prayer by Arthur Bennett that likens the "low" we're going through to a valley from which we can glimpse things we might otherwise not see. Let's pray.

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin, I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

Let me find Thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

Thy joy in my sorrow,

Thy grace in my sin,

Thy riches in my poverty,

Thy glory in my valley. Amen.