Connected — Strengthen Yourself in the Lord
From the time that Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel, much happened in David’s life, (1 Samuel 16). Although the Spirit of the Lord came upon him when he was anointed, David continued life as a humble shepherd. During his time as a shepherd, David said, “When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it and delivered the lamb from its mouth.”
David said, “The LORD, Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37). After delivering Israel from Goliath the giant and becoming leader of Israel’s army, he won the heart of the people of Israel. When David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, the women of Israel came out singing and dancing to meet King Saul. With tambourines, much joy, and musical instruments they sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” (1 Samuel 18:6-7). David was walking in the strength of the LORD but Saul’s jealous rage was kindled against him and he had to flee for his life, (1 Samuel 19:9-10,18).
1 Samuel 21:10 NKJV Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
Gath was the homeland of Goliath. In 1 Samuel 22, David departed from Achish and escaped to the cave of Adullam.
1 Samuel 22:2 NKJV And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
David seemed to be a magnet for people who were down and out. King Saul’s bitterness and hatred against David was so great that he killed 85 priests who had helped David. For the next ten years, David was a fugitive hunted by Saul.
1 Samuel 27:2 NKJV Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
When David found favor in the king’s eyes, he and his men were given the town of Ziklag. They lived there a year and four months, (1 Samuel 27:7).
About two years later, the Philistines gathered for war against Israel.
When the Philistine generals reviewed their armies and saw David and his men, they said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” King Achish said, “David has been with me these three years and I have found no fault in him since he defected.” The lords of the Philistines did not favor David, so they sent him back to Ziklag.
Think about this.
After David had been anointed by Samuel, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. After David killed Goliath, everything began to fall apart. Although God was with him and he won many decisive battles, people started turning against him. He was rejected by his brothers. Saul tried to kill him. He was chased out of his home country. He was a fugitive and was surrounded by a group of 600 men who were in distress, in debt, and discontented. He was living in his enemies territory and they refused to accept his help. It appears that everything and everyone was against David but God.
1 Samuel 30:1 NKJV Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,
1 Samuel 30:3 NKJV So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive.
1 Samuel 30:4 NKJV Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
Their distress was so great they could not bear it. David’s mighty men wept until they had no more tears.
1 Samuel 30:6 AMP 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.
The NIV says — “the men were bitter in spirit.” The people who should have been with David were rejecting him and ready to stone him. Everyone around David was discouraged and defeated in spirit and body.
“David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
Although he was greatly distressed, David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. The original language means: “David talked to himself.” David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord. Everyone around him was ready to stone him. All of his mighty fighting men were distressed, in debt, discouraged, and discontented. Everything they had gained had been taken away. What do you say to yourself when you are in trouble? What do you say to yourself when you have suffered loss? What do you say when everyone turns against you? What do you say when the enemy appears to have gained a victory?
David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord.
Instead of rehearsing and reminding yourself of your difficulties, remind yourself that God is on your side.
Listen to David’s confessions.
Psalms 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation, Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.”
Psalms 35:10 “The Lord is my strength and my shield, My heart trusted in Him and I am helped.”
Psalms 91:2 “The Lord is my refuge and my fortress.”
Psalms 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Psalms 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalms 16:8 “He is at my right hand I shall not be moved .”
You need to learn and know the Lord your God. Encourage and strengthen yourself in the Lord your God.
Speak God’s Word over yourself.
Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”
Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Don’t go by what you see happening around you. Turn your eyes on the Lord and encourage yourself in the Lord. God is going to take you to something better. He can make a way where there is no way. What you are going through is not your destination. Stop speaking defeat and distress over yourself. Stop accepting what the enemy has done to you as final. Start speaking words of victory and power over yourself. Tell yourself, “The God that I serve is Almighty God.” “The Lord my God is fighting my battles.” “The Lord my God is my Deliverer and my Healer.”
In 1 Samuel 30:7, David asked Abiathar to bring the ephod because he wanted to inquire of the Lord.
The Priest would put the ephod on over his clothes and would ask God for guidance and answers. David wanted answers and guidance from God. You need to know that you can cry out to God and He will hear you. You can bring your burdens and distresses to the God Who hears and answers prayers. Everything that they loved and cared for had been taken from David and his men.
1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV 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.”
You need to hear from the Lord about your distresses. Ask the Lord for direction and what steps you should take.
God told David, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
You need to hear what God has to say about your situation. So David started out with 600 men, but before long, 200 of them became so tired they could not go on.
Hold on now.
If no one goes with you, God is still on your side. If everyone gets tired and quits, God will fight for you. If you have to stand alone, God will not forsake you. If no one holds your hand, God will lift you up.
1 Samuel 30:18-19 NKJV So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.
You need to hear God say: “I will not fail you.” You can trust in the Lord. They went down into the enemy’s camp and took back everything that had been stolen. God is able to restore what the enemy has stolen from you.
When you are connected to the true source of life, you can find the strength you need. God is able to help you! You need to strengthen yourself in the LORD!