Encourage Yourself in the Lord

Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the LORD his God. (I Samuel 30:6)

The people were threatening to stone David. It was a very discouraging and unsettling time for the king. He was being blamed for the capture of the wives and children of his men. David found out about their plot to kill him. He could have taken the path of discouragement. He could have resolved in his spirit to live life in fear and self-pity. He could have shrunk back from his duties as a leader and king. But David took another tract. David decided to be strengthened in the Lord; to encourage himself in a way he knew was effective. In fact, when we read the psalms, those that especially have been penned by David we can see evidence of how he lived his life in this way. Again and again, he took the path of encouraging himself, not in the praises of people, not in the economy, not in his own good health, not in his victories as a mighty warrior, not in personal triumphs which can be fleeting, but he encouraged himself in the Lord.

How do we take that same path in life also? With everything we face from day today, season to season, year to year, how do we encourage ourselves in the Lord? We can do the same as David. We can remember to speak over ourselves and to ourselves the promises of God that have been established long before we ever existed and still in operation today. We can encourage ourselves by remembering God’s character and nature that do not change. We can encourage ourselves by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, which, from beginning to end point to the ways and care of God for his creation.

David was able to make it through every trial and hardship he experienced in life because he learned how to be strengthened in and encourage himself in his great and powerful God. David was not disappointed and always seemed to have the strength and courage he needed. We can be just like David when we determine to be strengthened in and encourage ourselves in the Lord as well. Let’s Pray,

Discouragement and threats come to us Lord. May we do exactly as David and learn to be strengthened in and encourage ourselves in you. Amen

Reflective Questions for Soul-Tending:

In times of threats or discouragement do you remember to encourage yourself I the Lord?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of soul-care?