STRENGTHENED BY GOD

I Samuel 30:6 “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

He knew he was called, specially chosen, destined to the throne. He had a daily visitation of God’s Holy Spirit. He had a cause, he had zeal for the Lord, he was holy and burdened for the poor and needy. He lived a circumspect life that caused even his enemies to respect him.

Think of what must have gone through David’s mind as he stood over the burning ruins of his home, not knowing whether his family was dead or alive. He must have asked the question, “why?”, when thinking over the past few years, up to this very moment. "Why, if God is with me, did Saul try to kill me? Why was he so insanely jealous over me? Why, if I have been anointed, did I have to escape to Gath and pretend madness, acting like an insane fool? Why, if God’s Spirit is upon me, guiding me, did I have to hide out in caves? Why, if I’m a man after God’s heart, did I have to live in the wilderness, hunted down like a wild animal? Is this the reward of the anointed -- sleepless nights fearing for my life, harassed on all sides, living on handouts as an outcast?"

Now, after finally finding a home and enjoying a few months of peace, it all crumbles in unbelievable disaster. Ziklag is in ruins and all is lost. To make matters even worse, David’s closest associates were blaming him for the tragedy.

What a shoddy way for God to treat his anointed servant -- at least that is the way it appears on the surface. He is no longer the giant killer whose praises are being sung by admiring crowds. He is no longer the mighty man of faith and vision, looked upon with respect and love. Now he is in total rejection, on the verge of being stoned as a failure. David stands alone, stripped and confused -- in total despair.

What does a person do when discouragement sets in and he feels useless, like a complete failure, abandoned by God and rejected by those who once cared? His beloved friend Jonathan was nowhere in sight. How refreshing it might have been had he been able to talk to the one friend he knew would never let him down. Abigail had been taken from him. His parents were far away. Where can he go for comfort? To whom can he turn for encouragement?

What can we do when a crisis comes? We can fall into despair, be angry, and blame others. We all know that those methods don’t work. As Christians, we have an opportunity in tough times to strengthen ourselves in the Lord. Believe it or not, God was in this apparent tragedy. If David is to become the man God uses, he must be stripped of everything, including his reputation and self-will. He must cry out of his system the last tears of self-pity. He must face the full fury of loneliness and overcome it. He must put away all memory of applause and praise for what he had accomplished and draw his strength from God. This was God’s intention for David all along. This was the purpose behind all the hard times, the loneliness, the strange leadings of the Lord. God wanted David to get his eyes off all his enemies, off all his friends and draw from God the strength and encouragement he needed both now and in the future.

Like David, we will endure difficult times. We must turn our thoughts towards God. In other words we must correct our thinking. If we think depressing thoughts we will be depressed. If we think delightful thoughts we will be filled with delight and joy. When things go wrong, focus on the one true God. Let it be all about him; not your problems or your pains. Encourage yourself with the knowledge of a God that loves you.