Stay By the Stuff
In I Samuel 30, David and his army returned to their camp to find that the Amalekites had raided and carried away all their wives and children. The men were understandably distraught, and David enquired of the Lord whether he should go after the enemy. When God said, “Yes,” David wasted no time. Let’s pick up the story there.
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil. And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. - I Samuel 30:9-10, 18-24
Six hundred men started on the recovery mission, but two hundred grew so tired and weak they couldn’t continue. Some felt they should be disqualified from receiving any spoils gained from the attack on the Amalekites, but David disagreed. The way David saw it, these two hundred men had an equal part in the battle; they simply served in a different way.
The same is true of us. Let’s face it, we all grow tired and weary, and sometimes, we can’t carry on like those around us. I know what it’s like to watch some of these “supermen” and “superwomen” in the church who seem to have it all together while keeping a smile on their face and practically sizzling with energy. That’s not me anymore. Most days, if I’m not dozing off by 7:00 in the evening, I count it a win.
Maybe you can relate. Perhaps you, too, feel like there’s no place for you in the battle anymore. Perhaps you feel too old, too young, too tired, or just not in the “groove” of others around you. That’s okay. Somebody needs to stay by the stuff.
Imagine how much more difficult it would have been for those four hundred soldiers if they had to carry all their stuff with them. Their burdens would have slowed them down. How would they have carried all the spoils if their hands were already full of their own gear? Being able to leave the stuff behind and know it was being safely guarded was a huge blessing, even if some of the men didn’t realize it.
Some are fit for serving in the field, and if so, that’s exactly where they need to be. Some are better suited for staying by the stuff, and that’s where they need to be. No one, however, is meant to sit on the sidelines. That’s just laziness, and God does not appreciate the waste of time and talent. David’s men didn’t go home and lounge around the campfire. They stayed in the middle of nowhere so they could stay by the stuff.
Friend, you may not be able to continue the march like others can. Like the two hundred, you may find yourself tired, weary, and unable to carry on. If so, I can relate, and I feel your pain. But know this—God isn’t finished with you yet. He still has something for you to do. Don’t be content to sit on the sidelines. Instead, stay by the stuff. Do what you can do for the glory of the Lord, and in doing so, you’ll be aiding those who can continue the march.
Not everyone will notice your contribution, and that’s okay. It doesn’t matter what they think. You’re not doing it for them. You’re doing it for God. And like David, God sees the value of those who are willing to stay by the stuff.