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A Community Weeps
In the Word
Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep (1 Samuel 30:4).
Of the Word
When a community tragedy strikes, the community weeps. In 1 Samuel 30, David and the people with him had returned to their town of Ziklag to find it burned. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been taken captive. The loss was overwhelming. David was distressed. The people were devastated. They wept until they had no more strength to weep. The people were bitter, and they blamed David. They wanted answers.
The exhaustive emotions, grief, and weeping described in 1 Samuel 30 are common in a community when tragedy strikes. Distress, devastation, and bitterness sweep through hearts and souls. Answers are demanded but seldom given to satisfaction. Who is to blame? How does one endure? What does one do now? In tragic times, the response of David serves well. … David strengthened himself in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:6b). Strength is found in God’s Word and Sacraments. In God is strength when we ourselves have no more.
Walking with my Lord
O Lord, my strength is failing. This tragedy is overwhelming. Give me consolation and healing through Your Word and Spirit. In Your holy name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: In Times of Need. Authors: Rev. Larry Krueger, Rev. Mike Mattil, & Rev. Kris Whitby. 16/30 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40197
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
