“Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep…So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor…Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them.”
I Samuel 30:4, 9-10, 21 NKJV
I was stuck today by the 200 men that stayed behind because they were too weary to cross over into battle. Maybe it hits close to home for me because I can identify with them from times past. I’m not sure – but reading and re-reading this passage today has me feeling and thinking so many things, from shame to compassion. Shame because I’ve been one of the 200. Compassion because like the 200, I’ve been restored.
David and his men had been plundered, their city burned, and their families abducted. All of them cried until they had no strength left and the men even spoke of stoning David,
who eventually turned to G-d then pursued the Amalekite troops and overtook them.
My mind tells me the ones that followed him into battle are better than and more courageous than those that stayed behind. My spirit tells me those that stayed behind served a purpose and were all a part of G-d’s grand plan.
Could the 200 men who stayed behind be left in the story to encourage me in the days I come to the end of myself?
David greeted them when the battle was over. David defended them to the accusers. Then David restored them as equals. David’s words and actions affirm that G-d has a plan and a purpose for everyone in the battle no matter the role they play, no matter if they go or stay.
Sometimes we just can’t go on and that’s ok. Sometimes we need to stay behind and rest – and that’s ok. Sometimes He calls us into battle with Him, sometimes He sends others in our place, but ALWAYS He fights for us and ALWAYS He restores us, greeting us as His beloved and restoring that which was lost:
“For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.””
I Samuel 30:24 NKJV
When we find ourselves by the brook, weary from what we’ve lost, unable to go on, be encouraged that He sees us, He fights for us, and He will restore us.
Father – thank You for fighting for me. Thank You for speaking to me today about a lie I believe that I must always fight or be engaged in the battle. Give me grace by the brook and restore me. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: I Samuel 28-31, Psalms 18