Discover five powerful principles for navigating loss, uncertainty and breakthrough in 2026, drawn from and inspiring talk by David Shadbolt on King David’s restoration at Ziklag.
“Pursue, overtake and recover all.”
These were the words God gave to King David in one of his darkest moments and they’re the same words David Shadbolt shared with the CTN Southwest Christian Business Community at the start of 2026, as a prophetic encouragement for those facing uncertainty, loss or transition this year.
David Shadbolt, founder of the School of Prophecy and The Timeless Wonder Foundation, drew from 1 Samuel 30, where King David returns to find Ziklag destroyed and his people taken captive. Yet rather than give in to despair, David turned to God and saw complete restoration.
“You may not know exactly how it will unfold. But you know what God said. So pursue. Trust Him. You will recover all.” – David Shadbolt
This message couldn’t be more timely for believers across the UK. Whether you’re a business leader, a ministry worker, or simply trying to make sense of the season you’re in, here are five powerful principles from Ziklag that can guide you into breakthrough in 2026:
1. Strengthen yourself in the Lord
When everyone else was blaming King David, and his grief was overwhelming, he made a choice: “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam 30:6). Before you face a crisis, know how you personally reconnect with God—through worship, Scripture, silence, or community. Build those rhythms now.
2. Seek specific direction
David didn’t rush in with assumptions, he asked God directly: “Shall I pursue? Will I overtake?”
God answered clearly: “Pursue, for you will surely overtake and without fail recover all.”
Ask God specific questions about your business, your family, your decisions and expect Him to speak.
3. Walk forward in faith, even without the full map
King David didn’t wait for GPS-level clarity. He had a word and that was enough. David Shadbolt reminded listeners, “It’s not about having the full roadmap. It’s about having enough light for the next step.”
In a world obsessed with certainty, God calls us to walk in trust.
4. Kindness unlocks breakthrough
On the journey, David’s men found a dying Egyptian slave, someone easy to overlook. But they fed him first, then discovered he held the key to the enemy’s location. Breakthrough often comes through compassion. Never underestimate small acts of kindness.
5. Generosity seals restoration
King David didn’t just recover his own loss, he shared with those who stayed behind and even sent gifts to others. “That’s the Kingdom,” David Shadbolt said. “David didn’t just fight for personal gain, he brought restoration to others.” In 2026, restore others even as God restores you.
Remember this…
Whether you’re grieving a loss, facing big decisions, or stepping into new territory, the Ziklag story reminds us: God restores. And He doesn’t just restore for your sake – He restores so you can bless others. Read the full message from David Shadbolt, including a moving story of miraculous restoration, on CTN Southwest’s website.
Let 2026 be the year you pursue, overtake and recover all.
Al Gibson
Wordsmith, overcomer and exhorter. Al has a degree in Journalism and Media Studies and years of communications experience in Africa, the UK, Israel and USA. He left South Africa in 2001 and worked for GOD TV in England for 18 years. He now heads up Countdown Creative, a content creation business in Exeter. Al is the author of three biographies. Blogs he writes for include GODTV.com; International Christian and UK and US Christian.
