Who Are You Focused On?

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negeb and on Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag, burned it down, and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great; they killed none of them, but carried them off, and went their way. When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept, until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was in great danger; for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in spirit for their sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. – 1 Samuel 30:1-6 
 
One of the most admirable things about David is that when he was in trouble, he maintained his faith, by praying to, spending time with, and seeking guidance from the Lord. This really is quite a remarkable reaction when you consider everything he lost. But I think he was able to do that because he understood the power of focus in the face of the unimaginable. 
 
When David is going through what has to be one of the most difficult seasons of his life, he doesn’t focus on those who attack him, nor does he focus on those who abandon him. There are two groups of antagonists in the text: the Amalekites and his own people.  When one studies the meaning of the word “Amalekites” you’ll discover it has two Hebrew meanings. It means, “Valley Dwellers,” and it also means “People who lick blood; or drain life.” The other antagonists are found in verse 6. They are the people who abandon him.  
 
The text says he is in greatest danger from his own people who want to stone him. But rather than focus on those who attack him, or those who abandon him, David inquires of the Lord because he understands that it does no good when you’re trying to get your life back on track to waste your time on the lowdown people who drain your life, or the people who should be supporting you, but choose to abandon you. 
 
Are you spending too much time focusing on the people who are against you or who have abandoned you? If so, my prayer is that you would instead refocus on your Heavenly Father. Look to Him for strength, comfort, wisdom, and direction, and don’t allow the people around you to drain the life out of you as you seek to overcome the trials in your life.