\n<\/p>\n
Read 1 Samuel 30:1-20<\/a><\/p>\n Maybe some challenge has hit you out of the blue? Crisis situations don\u2019t warn us before they hit, do they?\u00a0 However, in God\u2019s plan, the crisis may well be leading you to a \u2018Divine Appointment\u2019.<\/p>\n In 1 Samuel chapter 29, God had just helped David and his men get out of what was a difficult situation, in having to fight their own countrymen. In chapter 30, as they returned home, obviously with much thanks for God\u2019s intervention, an unexpected crisis had struck. Their home city, Ziklag, had not only been raided and torched by the Amalekites (30:1), but their families had been taken captive (30:2). In the midst of the unimaginable sorrow they were feeling, David\u2019s faithful men were even talking of stoning him (30:6). In this crisis situation however, the Bible says, \u2018David found strength in the Lord\u2019. As he did so, God began to turn the crisis into a \u2018Divine Appointment\u2019.<\/p>\n Under God\u2019s direction David began to pursue the enemy, and eventually, in a vast land area, he unexpectedly found the very person who could lead him to the raiders (30:8-11). This was the dying servant of an Amalekite official who had been deserted, as he was sick and a burden. Since David spared the man\u2019s life, he was more than willing to lead them to the raiders\u2019 camp (30:15). As a result, David and his men won a great victory before any harm could come to their families and received back much, much more than what they thought they had lost (30:18-20).<\/p>\n An unexpected crisis can truly be turned into a \u2018Divine Appointment\u2019 by the Lord.<\/strong><\/p>\n Illustration: At the age of 24, I faced an unexpected crisis as I developed a serious problem on my spine that needed surgery. I spent 25 days in hospital and life as a whole, as well as my future, looked extremely bleak. God had however planned a \u2018Divine Appointment\u2019, and many, many years later, thanks to His healing touch, I still haven\u2019t had any surgery on my spine! He is the God of \u2018Divine Appointments\u2019.<\/p>\n Thought: Trust God to turn any unexpected crisis in your life at present into a \u2018Divine Appointment\u2019.<\/p>\n By Palitha Jayasooriya<\/a> \u2022 Midlife\u00a0Crisis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 by Margaret C. Mullings<\/p>\n \u2022 Praying in a\u00a0Crisis<\/b><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Devotional by Charles Stanley<\/p>\n \u2022 Wandering Wounded<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 A Devotional by Christa Hardin<\/p>\n Follow Us On:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a> \u2022\u00a0Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAre you staggering in an unexpected crisis right now?<\/h3>\n
Used by Permission<\/p>\n\nFURTHER READING<\/span><\/h3>\n