Faith or doubt is built by what one hears. A child who is frequently criticized inevitably begins to entertain thoughts of low self esteem and his self confidence gradually gets eroded. The same applies to faith. Hearing words of encouragement and optimism, builds faith. When there is a need for the heart to be encouraged there will not always be someone present to utter the much needed relevant words. Like David therefore, we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord.
David and his 600 followers had lost their possessions, their homes burnt down, and worse, their wives and children had been taken captives! 1Samuel 30:1-31. These men were therefore not in the frame of mind to encourage David, their leader, and rather felt David was better of dead. These men needed encouragement themselves! They had always looked up to David, who had now seemingly put them in a position of hopelessness and despair, to the point that they considered stoning him, 1Samuel 30:4, resulting in David being “greatly distressed”. 1Samuel 30:6.
Focused
1Samuel 30 vs 6 “…and David encouraged himself in the Lord, his God.” When David took his focus off the situation and focused on God, he was able to draw strength from the encouragement he received. He was subsequently able to think of the next best step which was seeking direction rather than be guided by emotion. He chose not to lean on his own understanding and ompulsively pursue his enemies. He acknowledged God in the situation, and God confirming His promise in Proverbs3:5-6, directed his paths to astounding victory. The joy of the Lord gave him strength and he went from a state of he and his men having “no power to weep” (vs4) to pursuing the troop that had raided them.
“My God!”
It is also worth noting that David encouraged himself in the Lord “his God”, not his team’s God or the God of his fathers. David knew God from his own personal relationship and consequent experiences with God. One may enjoy good christian fellowship with friends and family but in challenging times the depth of the individual relationship with God is what will determine how one survives the storm, come out better or badly burnt. Prov. 24:10 David had learnt how to draw strength from God so even in a time of great distress he could easily turn to “his God”.
Say it loud, say it strong!!
When there is no one around to say the words you need to hear, pick out the words relevant to your situation and speak it out loud so you can hear it clear. God’s words are spirit and life John 6:63, so hear it and let it every thing around you hear it, causing new life to spring forth. The words of life by which the worlds were framed (Hebrews 1:2, John 1:3 ) is the same life giving word that is to able to give us abundant life here on earth and save our souls throughout all eternity.
The medicine for diabetes differs from that for epilepsy, the same way the scriptures for healing differ from the scriptures for healthy relationships. Seek and you will find the relevant scripture for every situation where life is desired, then speak the life as you declare the spirit and the life in the Word of God.
———————————————-
Joshua 1:8 encourages us not to let the word of God depart out of our mouth, and to meditate on it day and night following which we are assured of good success, for God’s blessing maketh rich and addeth no sorrow.
Psalm 91:2 The psalm that declares protection. David declared “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I will trust”.
Psalm 142:5 “I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
Choose what you hear
Speak what you need
Say it loud, Say it clear
Speak words of Life
from God’s holy word!
It brings to life all that’s required for
The abundant living that Christ has given!