Life is full of battles, and it’s either you win or lose (if you give in). Each day greets us with a new set of challenges. Sometimes we win, and other times we might lose; irrespective of your current disposition – winner or loser, it’s the ultimate outcome that matters. You might have lost a battle, but do not lose the war.

You might have lost a battle, but do not lose the war.

The account of David and his men in 1 Samuel 30 is a clear testament to how God is able to turn defeat into victory confirming the Scriptures that “All things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28). This article looks at the various steps required for turning defeat into victory from the key Scripture. Below are some steps for turning defeat into victory.

Express your Emotions Rightly: “When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more.” – 1 Samuel 31:3-4. When David and his men saw the damage that was done by their enemies to their land, they wept until they had no more strength to weep. Though mighty men, this reveals their humanness. God created us with emotions, and emotions are meant to be expressed within an acceptable standard (without causing further damage). The expression of emotions helps us gain relief from whatever pressure and tension that life might have put us through. In expressing their emotions by weeping, they were able to stay in touch with their human nature. These were men who were involved in battles almost all their lives. Expressing their emotions also afforded them the opportunity to explore their humanness, look to God for direction and recoup energy for the task ahead. So, our emotions are not meant to be bottled but rightly expressed in the face of daunting challenges.

Find Strength in God: “…But David found strength in the Lord his God.” – 1 Samuel 30:6b. In the process of their mourning for their families, David’s men were upset with him and thought to stone him. Rather than making excuses or becoming infuriated, David found strength and comfort in the Lord His God. To turn your defeat into victory, there’s the need to rely on God as the source of your strength. David was a mighty man of valour, but at this point, he knew he needed a higher strength to survive the situation; thus, he turned to God. Are you going through a spiritual drought or a trying time, and it seems all hope is lost; you’ve possibly fought with your strength, but note that “… by strength, no man shall prevail” (1 Samuel 2:9b). Having been hit by life’s experiences, the Psalmist declared: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from where comes my help?” (Psalm 121:1). Is your soul cast down? Wait on God, and praise Him because He is your Help and your God (Psalm 42:5). In resting on God’s strength, we are sure that the one who never loses a battle will turn things around for our good (Romans 8:28).   

In resting on God’s strength, we are sure that the one who never loses a battle will turn things around for our good (Romans 8:28)

Seek God for Direction: “Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” (1 Samuel 30:8). Despite his war accomplishments (killing Goliath), raising mighty men and defeating other enemies, David still sought God’s face on the path to recovery. Based on his fighting experience and victory track record, he would have mobilized his men to pursue and avenge their adversaries, but David decided to seek the Lord for direction. This was a usual practice of David throughout His life, little wonder he lived a conqueror all his life. In turning defeat into victory, we must learn to seek God every step of the way. God is not a ‘methodist’, He is dynamic in His ways. The way He worked yesterday may not be the way He’ll work today, this is why we have to keep trusting Him for direction at all times. How can you be in such a desperate situation as David – wife and children seized, land plundered, and yet ask God for permission to pursue the enemies? This shows an attitude of total dependence on God. In your desperate situation can you trust God for clear direction? If you’re waiting and have not heard God, He might want to test your patience, please wait! Divine guidance is indeed a proven key to victory in spiritual warfare.

Divine guidance is indeed a proven key to victory in spiritual warfare

Obey Divine Instructions: “But David Pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the brook Besor” – 1 Samuel 30:10. It is one thing to seek guidance from God and another thing entirely to obey divine instructions. As humans, there’s the tendency to seek divine direction in a bid to ‘fulfill all righteousness’, and not because God has the final say in our lives. In David’s case, each time he sought the Lord, obedience was his key objective. And he modeled this in his quest for recovery. As soon as he got the marching orders from the Lord, he never hesitated to obey. He arose from mourning, mobilized his men and pursued the enemy.  It must have taken great courage and strength from the Lord for David to put himself together, encourage his men and set them on the path to recovery after a great loss. A slight delay in his obedience might have led to a permanent loss of their families and belongings. In your case what is the Lord saying? Why are you taking too long to obey? The more your obedience lingers, the more time you afford the enemy to wreak havoc. It is important to note that your strength and victory are predicated on your obedience to God, and you can only be ready to take on the enemy in this battle when your obedience is complete (2 Corinthians 10:6).   

The more your obedience lingers, the more time you afford the enemy to wreak havoc

Be Sensitive to Victory Signposts: “Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop?” – 1 Samuel 30:11,15a. On our path to turning defeat to victory, we must take note of victory signposts – these are pointers to victory. For David, a supposed enemy became their signpost to victory and recovery. The young man was a servant to one of the Amalekites who raided Ziklag. Ordinarily, on sighting him, he should have been killed as one of the enemies of David and his men. Rather, he was fed – not having eaten for three days and was abandoned by his master because he was sick. Useless to his master, he became useful to David’s assignment of recovery. As we proceed to recover our losses, let’s remain sensitive to God’s leading in identifying victory pointers. At times, it might just be to forgive an offender. Other times it might be an instruction to do good to one who poses as your enemy. Some other times your victory signpost may be to pray for an ailing or troubled brother or sister. In such intercession may lie your victory. Seeking direction from God shouldn’t be a one-off thing, but consistently remain yielded to His leadings. As we pray and engage other victory strategies, let’s remain open to other actions that the Lord may require of us in achieving our recovery.

Seeking direction from God shouldn’t be a one-off thing, but consistently remain yielded to His leadings

Attack in the Place of Warfare:  Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day… So, David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away…” – 1 Samuel 30:17a, 18a. Having obeyed divine instructions, David and his men attacked the enemies and slaughtered them for a whole day until they’d recovered everything stolen by the enemies. As soon as they got every confirmation to pursue, overtake and recover all, they headed straight into the battle and engaged the enemies for their recovery. They didn’t hesitate to engage the enemies being assured of the fact that God had gone ahead of them. Are you ready to engage the enemy head-on in the place of prayer? Are you ready to pay the price on your knees? God has assured us of answers when we call on Him (Jeremiah 33:3; 1 John 5:14). Why wait further? Inability to pray makes you a prey to the enemy. As a part of our spiritual armour in this battle, we are charged to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit (Ephesians 6:18). In God, losing out is not an option in this battle because He has made every provision for our perpetual victory in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 37;1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 4:4; 5:4).

On a concluding note, have you been defeated before? Is your back on the ground right now? If there was hope for David, there is certainly hope for you. Is your case a denial and betrayal of your loyalty to Jesus? If Peter bounced back after denying the Lord thrice, and became the leader of the early Church, you can rise again. Arise from that defeat, you have expressed that emotion long enough. In your recovery, find strength in God; seek His guidance; be ready to obey every detail of His instructions; take note of victory pointers; attack in prayer; pursue the enemy, overtake him and recover all!