Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

The Turnaround
Read 1 Samuel 30:1-31

But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

When we go off track in our relationship with God, He does not abandon us. He provides us with opportunities to turn around and return to Him. David had forgotten God and was serving the ungodly Philistines. God had to turn him around.

The shock of finding his stronghold wrecked and his people and livestock taken captive broke David (vs 1-6). That was when he turned to God (vs 7-8). Does everything become fine when we turn to God? Let’s see how it was for David.

While God told David that he would have success over the raiders, He didn’t tell David which direction they went. Nevertheless, David and his men set out in faith and God provided them with an Egyptian to lead them to the raiders (vs 15-16). However, David did not have the full force of his army. After their earlier three-day journey, 200 of his men had become too exhausted to continue (v 10). The remaining 400 had to fight from dusk to the evening of the next day to overcome their enemy (v 17). David must have been greatly relieved when he discovered that he had recovered everything that he had lost (v 19). But just when David thought that all his troubles were over, they started again. This time it was a potentially explosive situation that threatened the unity of the army (v 22). Speaking with God-given wisdom, David was able to reason with the troublemakers and a mutiny was averted (v 23).


With David back in fellowship with God he began to do all things well. He even won the favour of the Israelites who may have doubted his loyalty to Israel (vs 26-31).

We cannot always expect a totally positive change of circumstances when we turn to God but we can be sure, that if we are faithful, he will honour our faithfulness.