Session 6

Who to blame when things go wrong

From 1 Samuel: A 6-Week Devotional

When trouble comes in life, how do you react? Do you look for something or someone to blame? David's men did. Their homes had been attacked, their wives and children kidnapped, and they wanted justice. Naturally, they accused their leader—the man they followed and on whose watch they lost everything. David himself was heartbroken and worried. But unlike everyone else, David sought comfort in the Lord.

David prayed to God and received the courage to hunt down the people who had taken all of their families. In the end, not one thing was missing from all that was stolen from David and his 600 men. God proved His faithfulness by giving them victory through a terrible struggle.

It's easy to blame circumstances or people in our lives when things go wrong. But we can never change the past. A better strategy is to seek God, move forward, and find a solution.

Instead of delivering you from the hard season you're in, God might be delivering you through it.

Before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, He found comfort in the Lord and He told His disciples how to do the same:

"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:32-33).

Instead of delivering you from the hard season you're in, God might be delivering you through it, like He did for David. Take heart that Jesus has overcome the world and all trouble in it. Find peace in Him and move forward to what's next.

Reflect:

• When was the last time you blamed something or someone? Did dwelling on the past change what happened?
• What struggles are you facing today? What does relying on the Lord look like for you in those situations?