Have you ever been abandoned? Have you ever seen abandoned people? As you travel through the city in which I live at night, or through certain suburbs, you’ll see many people, men, women, teenagers and at times children sleeping on pavements, against a shop wall or window, with the building overhanging the pavement. They might have dirty blankets, cardboard and a bag of their possessions with them. Many of them chose this lifestyle but many are abandoned people and have become slaves to their “street lifestyle”. For many of them it’s tragic for a host of reasons because to escape is almost impossible. They might come from other provinces seeking work in the city. They might have been discarded (kicked out). They might be a foreigner without documentation trying to survive in the most degraded way. In 1 Samuel 30 we have an account of David, one of king Saul’s “disgraced military generals” at war against the Amalekites, which he destroys. There is one part that captured my attention … it is this:
1Sa 30:11 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, “To whom do you belong, and 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 and the territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.” 15 David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.” 16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah.
Putting these verses into context we find the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag where David and his men had set up home with their wives, children, animals and possessions. The men were away and returned to find the Amalekites had attacked Ziklag, burnt down the town and taken all the women and children hostage. In answer to prayer David with 400 men pursued the attackers, over taking and over powering them, recovering their women and children plus taking all the livestock and possessions taken by the Amalekites as plunder.
1) v11 They find a foreigner. He was an Egyptian, not only far away from his country, but a slave of an Amalekite. These people were enemies of Israel. When Jesus found you, you were a foreigner too. You were not part of Jesus’ Kingdom … in fact you were a slave of the devil. He and his demonic forces are enemies of the Lord Jesus.
2) v11 They found a foreigner who was friendless. He was alone in a field. He knew no one and had no one to help him or protect him. When Jesus found you, you were friendless. Friendless because all those whom you thought were so special and so close to you would only help you if you were on their side. That is not true friendship. Even amongst the maze of people all around you, when Jesus found you, you were all alone with no one at you side.
3) v13 They found a foreigner who was forsaken. In response to David’s question he explains his credentials but adds … “My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago.” As soon as he became ill he was no longer an asset to his owner (master) … and was dumped (abandoned) to die! God had another purpose for this man … but think of the cruelty … the inhuman treatment measured out … abandoned! How barbaric! When Jesus found you, you too had been abandoned … you had become useless to your old master the devil. He dumped you when you had the greatest need. That’s part of his tactic … he dumps you … he abandoned you but he won’t let go of the title deed over your head.
4) v11-12 They found a foreigner who was famished.
1Sa 30:12 he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.
Consider the hot desert days where the sun saps all your energy and the desperately cold nights in the field where there was no shelter, not having eaten for three days and nights. He was abandoned to die and would have if David’s men did not find him. When Jesus found you, you were starving spiritually! He might have found you using a Christian friend, pastor or stranger … but He found you in a condition where you were spiritually starving! You spiritual throat was parched as in the desert heat.
5) v11 They found a foreigner. This slave was lost, homeless and doomed. David’s men found him because God’s grace was extended to this abandoned slave. Jesus found you! You were dead spiritually and by grace Jesus resurrected your soul.
6) They found a foreigner and fed him.
1Sa 30:11 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.
The slave was dying … his life had been sapped … ebbing away … yet the kindness of these men giving him water and food revived and restored him. After Jesus found you and resurrected your soul, He feed you with spiritual water and food, reviving your soul … He fed your soul making it strong and robust. What you needed most He gave you … you needed spiritual food and He gave you His Gospel and His Word to feast upon.
7) v15 They found a foreigner and set him free. Although we don’t read of his release it is implied in verse 15. This was a verbal contract with David and we may deduce that because David not only found the Amalekites, he destroyed them … he honoured the slave and set him free! He was no longer a slave. He could return to his own country and become a useful citizen again. He could be reunited with his family and loved ones. As you have read this Daily Note, is this not what Jesus has done for you too? He set you free from the devil’s hold over you. You are no longer a slave in captivity. You are a free man or women … free in Christ to be everything God wants you to be! Wait one moment … is this you? Has Jesus found you? If not, won’t you please come to Jesus today? Come out of the evil one’s slavery and into Jesus freedom … for all eternity!
O Lord God Almighty, Your ways of bringing the Gospel to people vary so much but the message, call and invitation of the Gospel are the same. Thank You for saving me. Please save lost souls who read this note for Jesus sake. Amen.