Scripture
4Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until (Lit there was no strength in them) they were too exhausted to weep [any longer]. 5Now David’s two wives had been captured, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 6Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:4-6
Observation
The finish line was in sight. David and his men had just finished a massive military campaign. They were spent spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. The only thing that kept them going was what awaited them at the finish line. The warm embrace of family and friends would not be found. Instead, the worst possible scenario had happened. Empty tents, smoking embers, signs of a struggle, and not a single soul left behind were simply too much to process. Someone had moved the finish line and they had hit the wall. As often happens when we experience unexpected tragedy, loss, or change, David’s men blamed him and plotted to kill him. What would you do when all was against you? David strengthened and encouraged himself in the Lord his God. But how?
Application
I love how God’s Word brings exactly what I need when I need it when I take the time to read it. I really needed this reminder right now. I have hit a wall. It's not a matter of IF we will hit the wall, but WHEN. Now, let me be clear right up front, I am NOT a runner. The only time you will actually catch me running is when I remember my steak has been left too long on the BBQ. That’s not even true. On the rare occasion we buy steaks I babysit that thing until it’s a nice medium-rare and… sorry I got distracted. Anyhow, you get the point. I jog on the treadmill. I don’t run. Yet, as we have all been called to run this race of faith I can relate with the metaphor of “hitting the wall” that many runners have to overcome in reality. I needed the reminder this morning that the life of faith is not a sprint but a marathon because someone moved the finish line. For the State of Hawaii, the quarantine orders have just been extended for another month, and schools will not be back in session until the Fall. It was like the collective air got knocked out of us with the news that we were supposed to just keep running the way we had been for the past 40 days. Then, on top of the Pandemic realities, the Burgess family has been given a new assignment by God to move from Hawaii to San Diego and pastor a new church called The Fathers House. Up until recently, we thought our finish line was here. I can’t even tell you how much crying we have done as we aren’t allowed to hug the people of New Hope that we love so much but have been limited to interacting online. Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging even in the middle of the sadness so at least we aren’t experiencing what David did in his time of need. On top of being emotionally and spiritually spent while our entire lives are being changed during a time when the whole world has been changed, we are also packing up our house. No one likes to move. Yet, over the years we have discovered that if we want to move with God we actually have to move when He’s moving and He doesn’t pack the boxes for us! We thought we had a week to pack our house into 2 16 foot Pod containers. However, the Pod People (that makes me laugh every time) told us that if we wanted our stuff there by mid-May we had 2 days to pack 2 pods. The finish line had moved and we had to kick it into high gear. All of that to say I woke up this morning feeling like I’d been hit by a Mac Truck and realizing I had hit a wall. So, I am joining with David in strengthening myself in the Lord because I want to finish strong. “Hitting the wall” occurs somewhere around the 20-mile mark and it is the point when a runner's glycogen (stored energy) within the muscles is depleted. This forces the runner to slow down considerably, sometimes to a walk (thank you internet). Runners tell me that there are three things a runner must do when they hit the wall and this corresponds with what each of us must do in this race of faith. Many scholars believe Psalm 4 was how David processed this moment in 1 Samuel 30 with the Lord and thus provides a way forward for us:
Refocus Your Faith- Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. (Ps 4:1) “Researchers have studied distance runners and have found that runners who successfully complete marathons report having associative thoughts—or thoughts relating to their internal selves. They might focus on breathing patterns, running form, or they may even repeat a motivating mantra.” 2How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. (Ps 4:2-3). Notice David shifts from a focus on what he CANNOT control (people's opinions, tragic circumstances, unforeseen challenges) to what he CAN control (inner dialogue, thought cycles, repetition of God’s promises). God would get Him through this and will get us through this too. We can’t control anything around us but we can control how quickly we will surrender to the One who is in control.
Recommit to Your Goal- 5Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. 6Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. 7You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. (Ps. 4:5-7). “Scientific research has revealed that there is a complex interplay of both physical (muscular) and psychological factors that come into play when you hit the wall.” David had to “see the finish line” in his head and heart even though he couldn’t see it in the natural. He inquired of the Lord and asked God for direction. God gave him a promise of victory. David found his pace when he found his peace in God. The spiritual strengthening gave him the physical and mental strength to press on and lead his army to victory. I’ve been having to ask myself, “Where do I want my walk with the Lord, my relationship with my family, my financial situation, my care for my neighbors, my love for the church to be on the other side of this Pandemic and move?" That focus on the end goal informs my present decisions.
Recalibrate Your Pace- 4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude…8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (Ps. 4:4,8) “Runners know that, if all else fails and your body and brain are fighting you tooth and nail, you must start to recalibrate your pace and your goal. But don't completely throw in the towel. Take incremental steps to back off.” Notice one of the ways David strengthens himself in the Lord is to take a nap. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is to go to sleep and not make any decisions until the next day. Pastor Wayne always reminds us to never make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion. The best way to live in the interlude of a Pandemic is to make our interludes work for us. Through daily spiritual disciplines such as devotions, worship, solitude, and silence our anger will subside and peace will fill our minds. That way when we "hit the wall" we won't actually hit the wall. Could it be that God is using this “shelter at home” order to cause us to find our home in Him again?
Prayer
Eugene Peterson defines obedience as “a long obedience in the same direction.” This is the mindset of the marathon faith. Thank you for meeting me this morning Lord. I really needed this. Instead of waiting to hit the wall again, I’m hitting my knees before You! You have reminded me that no one can actually move the finish line when You are my finish line. You are not only my prize at the end of this race but also the strength in the race You’ve called me to run. So, I pray what Eugene prayed, "I pray to GOD-my life a prayer-and wait for what he'll say and do. My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning.”
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