Everyone needs encouragement and sometimes we are in situations where we cannot get encouragement from others. This was David’s situation. He was a man on the run as Saul was trying to chase him and kill him. Many times, he found himself alone and did not receive the encouragement or support from those around him.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:6-8 (KJV)
David was pressured from all sides in the above scripture. The Amalekites had invaded Ziklag and had burned it with fire. They also had kidnapped women and children. David’s two wives were part of this captivity. People’s lives were destroyed in every possible way, and they all mourned their losses. Out of their anger and pain, people turned against David and sought to stone him because of the atrocities committed by their enemies.
The privilege and the responsibility of leadership is that people are not going to always be happy with our leadership. The very people who would fight for David, now sought to kill him. Jesus was also faced with those difficulties, and He was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter.
In the midst of all the anguish and weeping, David was able to encourage himself in the Lord. This was critical for his own sanity as well as the well-being of the people who needed his leadership. The book of Psalms shows us how David encouraged himself in the Lord. David looked to the Lord for his security and safety, and he reminded himself that God was on his side.
How do we encourage ourselves in God?
1. We need to remind ourselves of God’s character and that He is unchanging. In Psalm 23, David reminds himself that the goodness and the mercy of God will follow him all the days of his life. There was nothing for David to fear (See Psalm 27). These declarations build security in our hearts, give us courage, and remind us that the Lord is with us on this journey.
2. Having a heart full of gratitude towards God, strengthens our spirit man and encourages us. David always praised God and did not forget the many benefits of his relationship with the Lord (See Psalm 103). We also need to praise God and recount His involvement in our lives. This does not mean that we deny the present issues, but we come with an open heart to receive God’s grace in our time of need. The Lord has something to say about the situation.
3. David reminded himself of what God had done in the past (See Psalm 66). We also need to remind ourselves of God’s awesome works. The Lord has come through for us in the past, and He has an answer and a way through the current situation.
While the people were trying to stone David, he was not only able to encourage himself in the Lord, but he also inquired of the Lord about whether or not he should pursue the perpetrators. Encouraging ourselves in the Lord allows us to settle our hearts and be open to God’s leading rather than taking the matters in our own hands.
We have a tendency to wait for favorable circumstances to encourage us in life, but we also need to learn to encourage ourselves when the circumstances don’t appear favorable and no one is there to strengthen us. This week, make a commitment to yourself that you will encourage yourself.
