David experienced victory, but he also experienced failures, just as we do. Some of his failures were monumental. He dealt with defeat. He fumbled through temptations. He allowed his own desires to lead him into huge blunders. He occasionally wallowed in sorrow and fear. But he always recovered from these setbacks.
In 1 Samuel 20, we see David hiding from Saul in self-pity and worry. In his panic, David sought help and comfort from his friend instead of going directly to God. David continued in a downward spiral. The more he took his eyes off the Lord, the more he focused on himself. In his misery, he cried out, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Psalm 13:1-2).
David chose to redirect his focus from his suffering to trusting in the Lord.
In the dark cave in which he was hiding from Saul and his army, David poured out his heart to God. He turned his hiding place into a place of prayer. "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble" (Psalm 142:1-2).
By the time we see David in 1 Samuel 23, he has remembered the key to victory: "He inquired of the Lord" (v. 2). David had learned the consequences of leaving God out of his plans, and he gave his brokenness to God. He chose to redirect his focus from his suffering to trusting in the Lord. He no longer allowed others to distract him from obeying the will of God.
The same God who used David's brokenness can use our brokenness to restore us and to glorify Himself.Prayer: God, help me to stay focused on You and to give You my brokenness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
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