spoils – CadreMen Press

Share The Spoils by Kirk Hunt

Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord”

1 Samuel 30:26
Please read also 1 Samuel 30:1-31

David’s rescue mission ended in victory and wealth. They recovered all (1 Samuel 30:19) of their wives, children, goods, and more besides. David then shared the spoils.

Their pursuit of the Amalekites started in anguish and grief. The Amalekite enemy had invaded and burned Ziklag. Through divine providence, the enemy took everyone and everything captive, but killed no one.

David and his elite soldiers caught up to the Amalekites and took back their wives and children. Then their stolen stuff. And after that, they looted the Amalekites.

Would you keep the hard earned spoils of the battle? David thought better of keeping all of God’s blessings for himself. He sent care packages to the leaders of the towns and cities around him. You would hope that this generous gesture earned him goodwill in the neighborhood.

God blesses His people. Sometimes, His benefits fall in our laps. Other times, we receive His benefits after hard-fought battles. However they come, remember to be grateful and thankful for His gifts to you.

And I am prayerful that you will remember to share the spoils. God is generous. He often gives more than you need. Share with others. There is a blessing of goodwill from your neighbors, and from Father-God.

Think: When you share God’s blessings with others, you become even richer.

Pray: “Lord, bless me so I can bless others.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Gathering The Spoil by Kirk Hunt

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

2 Chronicles 20:25 NKJV

Jehoshaphat and Judah faced extermination. A massive, three-nation alliance army from Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir were marching against Jerusalem. Soon, the victors would be gathering the spoil from the dead bodies of the vanquished.

God’s people often face extreme circumstances. The king and people of Judah faced a malicious and murderous force, larger than they could defeat. Faced with more than he could handle, Jehoshaphat ran to The Temple and pled his case to God.

“The battle is not yours, but God’s.” As part of His victory, there will be spoils, goods and valuables taken from the defeated. Your part is to obey God’s Word to you. And pick through the remains of your enemies.

Too often, modern saints face circumstances we cannot defeat: The medical report. A court verdict. The broken relationship.

The battle is not yours, but God’s. You will have cleanup work after He is done. Be grateful, and humble, considering all you will gain.

God’s people are to be active and engaged in their own lives. Still, more often than we like to admit, that means standing patiently and obediently as God fights His battle for us. If you are truly one of God’s people, the threat against your existence makes it God’s battle.

Think: The battle is not mine, but God’s. I just have to clean up afterwards.

Pray: “Lord, help me to faithfully and patiently let You fight Your battles.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.