“I am an Egyptian…we raided some territory belonging to Judah…and we burned Ziglag.”

What is WOKE?

The definition of “woke” is being alert to injustice in society, especially racism. Of course, this “woke” movement defines racism by its own belief. Other groups of people believe just the opposite. Because of these views, deep anger is rising in America. If we are not careful, our nation will become unstable and increase anger, hatred, and destruction.

In today’s scripture, David is dealing with strong emotions of anger, rage, and pain. He comes face to face with a “woke” enemy. What will David do? Will anger overwhelm him and his followers. We all will face this sometime in our life. The time when you feel you are unfairly treated and possibly a great pain to you. Will you be swallowed up in anger and revenge?

You may even have a right to respond, but in that dark time, there may be a miracle waiting. Something the Lord wants to do in your life that going through a dark season is the only way to receive it. Now the story.

David and Disaster

1Samuel 29-30:10 David is rejected because he was a Hebrew hero.  He was sent home. Arriving home (Ziglag.) David finds it destroyed and their families taken. ” So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep… 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. 

Have you found yourself in a sudden disaster? A personal attack of overwhelming emotional trauma. In the middle of pain, David sought the Lord. David and his men began to track the enemy.

The “woke warrior” and the choice

1 Samuel 30:11-14  They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat— 12 part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights. 13 David asked him, “Who do you belong to? Where do you come from?” He said, “I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago. 14 We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.”

What would you do if you came upon the person who was part of the attack on you? What would God want from you? Would you have the right to attack? David faced the man who was part of the destruction and kidnapping of his family. I wonder what was going through David’s mind. Revenge? Hatred? Possibly, but God wanted to mature David to prepare him to be the king. 

To be kind or to get even?

In the past, I was hurting deeply from an unfair attack. We were accused wrongly, and it was very public. Eventually, we were found free of any wrong, but what do I do when I see people who were part of the attack? It would be nice to tell you the thoughts of revenge were never there. I would be lying. God dwelt with me to humble myself and be kind to those who attacked.  

God’s Grace and reward

1 Samuel 30:15-20 David was kind to the Egyptian. Because of that decision, the Egyptian led them to the enemy who had attacked their home. David recovered all the families along with the spoils of the attacking army. 

How will you react in the face of the “woke” who accuse and destroy? Remember David as he found the Egyptian. David’s decision of kindness led to the restoration and blessing of God.

Matthew 5:44 – love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  

In the difficult time of the woke. Be kind and seek God. Allow your lightnside to shine kindness to those who are angry. God is at work.