1 Samuel 30:6 AMPC
David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
There are many times when "life" backs us into a corner, with seemingly no way out.
It can be in the form of the loss of income via redundancy, a cancer diagnosis, a relationship breakdown or even a divorce.
The ways circumstances suddenly pounce - to steal our faith and joy are endless.
We read in the verse above that King David found himself in just such a fix. His response IN his distress was to encourage HIMSELF in the the Lord His God.
He found himself surrounded by men who even talked of stoning him. Armed with previous victories, where God had come through for him (the lion, the bear, and Goliath), he was sure that the Lord would sort things out.
Giving yourself a good talking to, when your faith is failing, can be a great "pick me up". Recall times when things looked dreadful, but God came through for you.
Notice how the verse points out the personal relationship David had with God - "HIS God", not some nebulous, far off super power.
Before we can rely on Jesus in our troubles, we have to establish that personal relationship with Him.
How is this done? Very simply - by recognising the need to be forgiven, believing Jesus died and rose again to be our sin-bearer, asking Him to wash, cleanse and give us a new start and new heart - to be forever in charge of our life.
Once that happens, He is the Lord your God - indeed, your Heavenly Father.
You then can encourage yourself in Him, by prayer and by soaking yourself in God's Word.
Through tough experiences, gradually your trust will be rewarded and when sudden trials strike, you too will be able to say with David:
Psalm 42:5 AMPC
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.
Paul is encouraging himself (and others) when he writes:
Romans 8:18,37-39 AMPC
[But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! [37] Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, [39] Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thought - how can I encourage myself in the Lord today?
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