In life, there are seasons of victory and joy—but there are also days that bring us to our knees, days we never saw coming, where everything feels lost and broken. In 1 Samuel 30, we meet David on one of those days. Ziglag, the place where he lived with his men and their families, had been burned to the ground. Their wives and children were kidnapped. Their possessions were stolen. It was a moment of total devastation.
1 Samuel 30:8 reads:
And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
But Ziglag was more than a physical location—it was a spiritual place, a metaphor for those in-between moments of our own journeys. Maybe you’re there right now: a place of heartbreak, loss, and uncertainty. But here’s the truth God is speaking over your life today: You will recover it all.
What To Do When You’re Standing in the Ashes
When David faced the worst day of his life, his response laid out a roadmap for every believer walking through seasons of sorrow, grief, or deep discouragement. These are not just steps to survival—they’re steps to supernatural restoration and breakthrough.
1. Weep, But Weep in Faith
David and his mighty men—seasoned warriors—wept until they had no more power to weep (1 Samuel 30:4). Grief is not a failure of faith. Even Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb. But there is a difference between weeping in faith and weeping in unbelief. When your sorrow has hope, God meets you there with comfort and the promise of a new morning (Psalm 30:5).
2. Refuse Bitterness
Bitterness is a poison that slowly chokes your purpose. David could have turned bitter—his own men were blaming him and threatening his life—but instead, he refused to let offense take root. Bitterness will destroy your joy, your relationships, and your ability to hear from God. Let it go, not because they deserve it, but because you do.
3. Encourage Yourself in the Lord
David made a bold choice: he encouraged himself in the Lord. In the face of smoldering ruins and missing family, he didn’t wait for a cheerleader—he became his own. Sometimes you have to choose joy. Speak truth over your soul. Declare who your God is even when everything around you contradicts it.
4. Get a Word from God
David didn’t move until he had direction. He inquired of the Lord and received a rhema word: “You shall recover it all.” That one word birthed a vision of victory inside him, even while the ashes still smoldered. Your breakthrough begins when you hear God’s voice and believe His promise before anything changes.
5. Get Mad at the Right Enemy
David got mad. Not at his men. Not at God. But at the enemy. He recognized who the real enemy was and rose up with holy anger. This is not the time to roll over in despair—this is the time to stand and fight. You don’t fight in the flesh. You fight in the Spirit, with truth, with prayer, with praise.
Your Ziglag Moment Is Not the End
Ziglag is not your final chapter. It’s the place where God prepares you for your Jerusalem—your destiny. David recovered everything that was stolen from him. And you will too.
And here’s the good news: even if you don’t recover exactly what was lost, God promises to replace it with joy, purpose, and restoration beyond what you could ask or imagine (Joel 2:25-26).
“Lift up your eyes from where you are…” – Genesis 13:14
What you see in your spirit is more important than what you see with your eyes. Get a vision of victory.
Final Encouragement
You may be weeping now, but joy is coming. You may feel broken, but God is building. You may have lost much, but you will recover it all. Stand up, shake off despair, and walk in the promise that your greatest comeback starts today.
Declare this today: I may be in Ziglag, but I won’t stay here. I will rise. I will recover. And I will rejoice again.
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Recommended Reading
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered
by Lysa TerKeurst Get it here ⏩ https://amzn.to/3IjSGOp
Don’t Miss This Powerful Message
If today’s blog spoke to your heart, you need to watch this life-changing message from Her Faith Bridge: “You Will Recover It All”. Whether you’re standing in the ashes of Ziglag or holding onto a fragile thread of hope, this video will remind you that God is not finished with your story. Let this anointed word strengthen your spirit, stir your faith, and ignite a vision of victory in your life. Click play, and prepare to be encouraged.
