Encourage...yourself.

“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.” -  I Samuel 30:6

King David is perhaps one of the most colorful, vibrant characters in the Old Testament. While keeping sheep he had killed a lion and a bear, and eventually the giant Goliath who was feared by all the fighting men of Israel.
   Choosing words and phrases to describe him would conjure up: fearless, brave, full of faith in God, loved, lauded, hated, hunted, man after God’s heart, anointed, adulterer, murderer, and repentant. Yes, David was a man of godly character and determination, unafraid when he knew God was with him…yet very human and subject to giving in to temptation.

   The Bible gives a description that indicates he was good looking, healthy, robust. He had been blessed with great physical and mental attributes. It would seem that he had everything going for him. Samuel had, under the specific direction of God, anointed him to be king. However, things were not coming up roses in David’s life.
   Here, in the 30th chapter of Samuel, Saul is hunting David, trying to kill him. David and his troop of men, all their wives and children were living in Ziklag. He and his troop were away from their families with King Achish. When they returned, Ziklag had been burned to the ground and all their wives and children kidnapped.
   The men were beside themselves. The Bible says they wept until they could weep no more. They didn’t know what to do, so they turned on David. They wanted to stone him.
   By the sixth verse David is distressed…and encourages himself. In the face of the worst possible scenario — David stops and encourages himself.
   There’s no specific information given as to how he does this…but I feel confident he began to rehearse in his mind the miracles God had performed through him. Thinking back to the time he was a boy — called in from the field to stand before the mighty prophet, Samuel; having the anointing oil poured on his head, running down his face and onto his shoulders. That experience had been real and reflecting on it would remind him of God’s hand upon him.
   Perhaps his mind’s eye replayed the defeat of the great Goliath by a young boy with a sling shot and a stone, or God’s protective hand while guarding sheep. And there were the times he escaped and was able to hide from Saul. Or, the provision of his friendship with Jonathan who warned David of his father’s determination to kill him.
   David may have remembered the prophet Samuel saying: “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” David’s “hitherto” was a history of God coming to the rescue time and time again. He encouraged himself, knowing that he faced another impossible situation, but God was certainly up to it!
   Discouragement comes from many directions. Loneliness, someone offends us, we don’t see the results from our efforts that we expected. Doubt and unbelief begin to take up residence in our mind.
   Putting things into perspective…worry about bills, trouble at work, having a bad day…it’s time to encourage yourself. Even if circumstances are dire regarding your children, your marriage, your friends…look at David, he and his men had had their wives and children kidnapped and carried away and their town burned to the ground. It can’t get much worse than that.
   But David encouraged himself…in the Lord His God. That’s where his strength, his hope, his help was. He knew that and he became encouraged and got the strength to go and retrieve what the enemy had taken.
So, he and his six hundred men went and recovered all. (Actually 200 of the men were so weak they couldn’t go and stayed behind). Verses 18, 19, and 20 of the 30th chapter reveals that nothing was lacking in their recovery. From the smallest baby to the eldest child—and every wife were restored. They even ended up with flocks and herds as a spoil.
   The enemy continually plots to rob, kill and destroy everything that is precious to you. This includes your joy. If he can get you discouraged—it’s difficult to pray, even to function. David’s experience is a wonderful lesson in coming out in victory over discouragement.
   Be encouraged. If circumstances and even friends seem against you. Encourage yourself in the Lord your God. He is with you. He has called and chosen you, anointed you to serve Him. Be encouraged!
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Even as a young girl, Sharon Spiegel loved writing stories and poetry - something she inherited from her grandmother, Jessie May Garlock. Now the Assembly of God minister, Christian school administrator and self-described 'Missouri Yankee' is adding author to her titles. Her first book, 'Generations,' will be released by CrossRiver Media Group later this year. She and her husband of 44 years, Roger have three children and 14 grandchildren. You can find Sharon online at facebook.com/AuthorSharonSpiegel, on twitter @sharonspiegel and her website - www.sharonoragarlockspiegel.com.