Not a One was Lost
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago when the mothers, soldiers, kings and towns and tent-men didn’t realize just how big the world is, but possessed a better understanding of just how big God is – a king lived in the desert with his family, going to and fro over the sands as this big-mighty, world-creating God asked.
He was a good king, listening to his creator and his creator was a good creator, giving good advice, always loving his children. Like a good parent, this creator taught his children much, including how to pray, provide, love and fight in order to protect what He had given them.
One day as he walked with the king, the king ordered him to take his soldiers, go hundreds of miles into the desert and fight a people that denigrated Him and His children. This father and husband gathered his soldiers and led them into victorious battle.
Riding back into their tent kingdom, they met silence. No livestock, no children, no wives. Everything had been stolen while they had rode to victory under God’s banner.
These men who had raised sword arms in victory, who until that moment gladly, proudly risked life and limb – all of themselves – to serve this king who served their God – dropped their loyalty like a dirty shirt. They rent their hearts for the loss of their wives and children. They railed against the king, surrounded him, killing-threats lacing the air, grabbing stones in fists to kill the one who had led them to countless victories, abundant provision, a honor-filled self-image.
The king slipped from their blood-thirsty grasps and ran to God.
Laughing Gull
Where he dropped to his knees, meeting his God right there – in the midst of huge loss – for what man cannot but drop to his knees at the loss of a good wife and a quiver full of children?
He beseeched God, reminding Him, “I went only to battle because you said, ‘Go’ – not for glory, not for gain – and as a result, I have lost all. . . . all. . .”
God seeing his faithfulness – to go when He said go, a man willing to risk all for Him and in the midst of the greatest loss of all who didn’t turn his back on Him – lifted him up, gave him the plan to redeem that which was lost.
The King trusting His God-Redeemer – went back to His men, took those strong enough, and led them again into battle and redeemed the heart of who they were:
“Nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or large, sons or daughters, spoil, or anything that they had taken for themselves—David brought back everything” (1 Samuel 30:19).
This mothering and fathering business is much like David’s business in leading his people – we are both trying to lead our family in a God-centered way – and that means letting God lead. When God says, “Go,” or “Do” – we go or do. Sometimes our children don’t grasp our decisions are God-designed. Sometimes the going and doing life God’s way sends us into battles we hadn’t foreseen.
Just as David’s children and spouse – and those of his soldiers – suffered when captured, so, too, does our family suffer when God sends us on journeys. He’s not surprised. He’s not taken off-guard. God is ever vigilant.
Just like David, when God tells us, “Go” or “Do”- whether it’s a move to another state, a change of schools for our children, a different church or simple changes in the daily like changing our conversations, building a raised garden bed, or taking time to talk to someone when our kids would rather we hurry up . . .
Our community might think we’re doing it all wrong – just like David’s thought – when their hands were itching to stone him. Our community might judge us poorly. Sometimes when God tells us, “Go” or “Do,” it doesn’t make sense to those around us. It might not even make sense to us.
Sometimes I need to better understand that God’s directives for others are theirs not mine. They don’t need my grace and support. . . or yours. . . , but how much better the journey through the challenges if they have it. Yes, our self-image might suffer in the community – but, guess what? It doesn’t suffer with God.
When God says, “Go”, or “Do” – go with confidence for your family. The battle has already been won – it just needs walking through. . .
Today I remembering – remembering and thanking God – I am thankful that I trusted Him when He said ,”Go” – and in the going learned how to live in the weight of a prayer sent out, learned how to ask Him to stand with me in the hard challenge of the God. I am remembering how He brought us home from that hard journey, and when I despaired, He gave me this story, whispering to my soul “not a one will be lost. . . not a one. . .”
Remember Me Monday: #16 & Linky
“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings,
all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God,
his great goodness to the family of Israel—
Compassion lavished,
love extravagant.”
~ Isaiah 63:7, The Message
In the Old Testament, God repeatedly, quietly and loudly, tells his children, “You have forgotten me!” (Jeremiah 3:32, Ezekiel 22:12, to name a few). It’s a heart cry from a father to a child who has forgotten all the love, all the saving, helping, little and big blessings – and it leaves me stunned when I realize our Father, the creator of the universe, who knows things I cannot begin to fathom, who authors storylines that leave me amazed, delights in all of us so much, He cries out, “Remember Me.”
While every day is a Remember God Day, I am inviting you to join me on Monday mornings to come by and remember what God has done for you, for your family. Maybe God sent a cardinal darting out in front of you, as if to tell you, “I’m here,” or broke a child’s fever after you laid it all down at His feet in a 2 a.m. bedside vigil. Maybe He stood with you in the wait of a prayer sent out, or brought someone you loved to Christ. Maybe He healed your broken heart, gave your courage, or you gave Him your dreams as a love offering only to have Him give them back in an unimaginable way. Maybe God helped you survive to bedtime after a crazy Monday, or forgive yourself for missing it with your kiddos –– Whatever it is, let’s Remember Him. . . in a “Remember Me Monday” love letter.
“My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
Of your salvation all the day long,
Though I know not its measure.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord”
~ Psalm 71:15-16.
Let us delight in Him by telling the stories of what He’s done! If you wrote a blog post remembering what He’s done for you, join the linky. If you didn’t but still want to praise Him for what He’s done – write it in the comment section. Then visit a comment before or after yours! One of the beautiful things about the blogging community is the relationships it builds!
Rules? Write long or short, a list or a story, include photos or not. Just Remember Him and what He has done, and let the gratitude of your heart guide you. Let’s make Monday so Rejoice, that the goodness of God spills into the rest of the week!
Places I’m Linking at This Week:
Inspire Me Monday, Grace & Truth,
Purposeful Faith, Tell His Story,
Recharge Wednesday, https://welcomeheart.com/blog, Worth Beyond Rubies,
Share a Link Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Legacy Link-Up,
Grace and Truth, Faith on Fire,
What a beautiful story!!! Visiting from FMF
Thank you, Sarah! So happy you stopped by and enjoyed!
needed that reminder right now. In the midst of a “do” that is hurting…
I know that hurt in the midst of a “do” – Maybe they are the growing pains of our hearts and souls expanding to the size they were designed to be! Praying that you feel the love of Shaddai wrapped around you like a warm hug, that His Holy Spirit run like water over your hurts, seep down deep inside you and give you peace and strength to stand and overcome!
~Maryleigh
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I so loved this story approach of telling the story of David. Your words really encouraged me because recently I answered God’s “go” and “do” to start up a community ministry at our church. Its been hard on me. Mentally and emotionally, and spiritually, which means when you have 4 children aged12 to 5 it is hard on them too, not to mention the husband who keeps reminding me “but honey I thought you WANTED to do this”. But we are doing it as a family, which is what God called me to do years ago, before I had the fainest idea what “it” would be. The laundry and meal situation was deplorable for most of the month of June. I cried a lot from the sheer stress and spiritual attack of feeling like an inadequate fool. But I did indeed, like David, remind God, I am doing this for Your glory for the least as You commanded and led me…now You are going to have to pull me up out of this funk so I can take care of my family. And He did every time, and I know there will be more funks down in the mire, but I know He will show up again. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Leah
When God says, “go” and “do” – the encouraging thing is He knows we can do it – that He equipped us for it and He doesn’t give us broken-down, out-of-date equipment. He gives us the best! After every go is a time of refreshing- that really helps me hold on in the midst of a challenge – that He will bring me to a refreshing point. You may cry from the overwhelmingness – but I love your courage and faith to stand right back up and not give up! You are indeed a warrior daughter of the King!
~Maryleigh
Your posts are so comforting … thank you for sharing this wonderful insight.
Thank you, Liana – I think when I’m writing, I’m trying to find comfort in what He’s telling me – and I am so glad it spills over for others!
I like how you did that! Bible storying. That’s what this was. Love it!
I so enjoy when you stop by. You always see something in my writing or my message – whether it is heart or God-art – a detail I that I am glad someone picked up on – and you do!!!! Thanks, Micey!
I really enjoyed story about King David. I think it touched on what makes us human; mainly, that we expect victories and not losses when we serve God. Good food for thought and great devotional writing!
His yoke is easy and His burden light – but that doesn’t mean His way is challenge-free – however, His way is always victorious! So glad you stopped by. Wishing you blessing this beautiful week!
Sometimes when God tells us, “Go” or “Do,” it doesn’t make sense to those around us.
Such a great point! It’s easy to look to our peers for reassurance and confirmation. And sometimes we might can get that, if God so shares the vision with them too. But other times, with or without the understanding of others, we must obey God at all costs. Not easy to do though, but definitely the right thing to do.
It is hard when people around you look at you with doubt, eye-brow arched and you can see it in their eyes – just exactly what they think about what you’re doing! Like you say, “We must obey God at all costs.” Thank you for coming Lisa – and being a wonderful voice to encourage the “at all costs.”
Forotunately the story did not end when his friends turned against him, God brought a final victory and not anything was lost. Thank you for sharing your lovely post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.” http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Hazel, for encouraging so many of us to tell our stories – and for always sharing yours! If we stick with God, He never fails to pull us through to victory – it’s just a matter of not giving up! Wishing you blessing this week Hazel.
“Go” or “Do” is something God has said to me many, many times. I consider myself a “knee-jerk” servant. I’ll go anywhere, anytime when the Lord has someone who needs me. The only bad part is that I’m getting older and older and my energy, my brain, and my around-and-about ability is reducing. But, I still can do some, almost any time, any day. Not as strong, but my knee-jerk personality hasn’t gone away, yet. When I get to heaven, I might be used as a quick spread-around helper as His daughter. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t that what He wants, Joanne? Someone who jumps into without thinking because we believe so much? Sometimes, though, that Go can have repercussions that like a hurricane blowing through, take a while to work their way out – but it is faith and hope in His faithfulness that gets us through. I love your get up and go – even if you’re not as strong. There are so many days I don’t feel as strong either – but I never want to lose that attitude like you have!!! Blessing sweet friend!
Oh – great application and metaphor of this David story in our contemporary lives. Yes – been there many times. God is so faithful though – thereby is joy!
Joy!
Kathy
My heart needed that right now. We are starting new things as well as waiting on others. Thank you for letting God use you!
Just shivers from this post. Oh how these words resonate in my soul…
“I went only to battle because you said, ‘Go’” – not for glory, not for gain – and as a result, I have lost all. . . . all. . .”
But what a beautiful promise, friend!! God redeems EVERYTHING!! Yes, yes, might we not forget that what we humbly sacrifice and give Him in obedience, He often returns to us a hundred-fold as blessings.
There are days I have to remind myself – and I go to him and I pray this – and he gives me peace. This story blessed me when I needed it – and it double blesses me now because I could share it and bring encouragement to a friend with it! Praying for you, Jenn!
Shalom!
Maryleigh
I am so glad you shared this post again, Maryleigh, as it is both beautiful and powerful. I am so grateful to be reminded that the battle is already won and “not a one will be lost. . . not a one. . .”
Thank you Joanne – I was talking to a friend about that story and God opening my eyes to it just when I needed it, just when I was questioning whether the going was the right thing four years after the going! God always has a saving plan – sometimes it just looks different than our idea of a saving plan!
What a blessed truth, that whatever God calls us to do, we can trust Him for our loved ones.
Learning to trust like that for me was hard – like free-falling – and sometimes it was walking through one kind of failure to get to God’s kind of saving!
Thank you for sharing this post again today, Maryleigh! It was such a confirmation to me, as God has been asking me to look back at all the years that He had us “go” and “wait” even when others around us were ready for the stoning. HE has been so faithful through it all, and I long to bring praises to Him. Blessings to you this week, as we both cling to His promises for our loved ones!
I think we wish our “people” understood why we make decisions – that they really “got it” – it’s hard but the only person we need to “get it” is God – the older I get the more I am learning to stop judging – because I don’t know God’s plan for another’s life – that’s between them and God. Friend, when two or three cling together to His promises for our loved ones – He moves mountains! Shalom to you this week, Bettie! ~ Maryleigh
It’s so easy to think that everyone should do things they way WE do them. Thank you for reminding us that that isn’t the case. Each of receives different instructions from God and different methods of carrying out his calling.
We only have to write our story with God – we’re not to write another’s story – and that’s an important but hard lesson I am learning! Wish I understood it sooner! Shalom in your story this week Anita! ~ Maryleigh
It is not easy to follow God’s command to “Go!” and “Do!” Thank you for this beautifully written story. It takes courage and faith to do step out of our comfort zone.
It’s hard, especially when our comfort zone is at a moment when everything is just, “Ahhhh! This is great!” Thanks for the kind encouragement! Praying that we find grace as we step out, if we’re called to do so, this week! Thanks for coming by Laurie! ~ Maryleigh
These are beautiful words. Thank you for sharing. Visiting today from the Inspire Me Monday Link-up.
Thanks so much for coming by Marielle! Praying God’s shalom fill your week! ~ Maryleigh
Such beautiful encouragement for us all here. laurensparks.net
Thanks so much for coming by Lauren! Praying God’s Shalom fill your week! ~ Maryleligh
Isn’t it comforting to know God has our backs & that He is faithful even in the hard times of having been obedient & seemingly losing everything in the process. He gives so much more!
Bless you,
Jennifer
It is comforting – now – how I wish I had understood so much of all this when I was much younger! I am so glad that He doesn’t give up on those who follow Him more slowly! ~ Maryleigh
Not one!
You are a beautiful storyteller. God tells us to go and do and then surrounds us with his protection and provision. I love how you laid this out through the story of David.