"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(KJV)
--I Samuel 30:6(KJV)
If you have are not familiar with the account of David's encounter and ultimate battle with the Amalekites, may I encourage you to take some time to read it (1 Samuel 30). In a nutshell, upon David's return to his home in Ziklag, he discovered that the entire town had been destroyed--burned to the ground! In addition, everyone in the town, including women/wives and children had been taken captive by the Amalekites. When David and his men saw what had happened, they cried and cried. The men were so devastated at losing their families they considered killing David. David was in a very precarious situation, and the men with whom he had come to trust and build relationship with had suddenly turned on him. Folks are plotting to kill him, his family is gone, and he is personally devastated, discouraged, worried, and alone. What was David to do?
Can you relate to any of David's feelings? For most of us, it's not Ziklag, but there may have been some traumatic experiences that you have seemingly had to walk through alone. Perhaps you tried to share a story, but were not believed. Perhaps your cry for help fell on deaf ears. Perhaps your attempt to share was not "heard" because of the listener's own personal struggles. Perhaps your story was spun in such a way that you were vilified. Perhaps you lost everything and were ostracized as a result. Whatever your "perhaps" is, an emotional need was not met. So, what do you do when you are left to grapple with personal pain, anguish, and inner turmoil? Do what David did.
When David's back was against the wall, he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). Consider the word encouraged in Hebrew from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
H2388--chazaq: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, to be secure
Can you relate to any of David's feelings? For most of us, it's not Ziklag, but there may have been some traumatic experiences that you have seemingly had to walk through alone. Perhaps you tried to share a story, but were not believed. Perhaps your cry for help fell on deaf ears. Perhaps your attempt to share was not "heard" because of the listener's own personal struggles. Perhaps your story was spun in such a way that you were vilified. Perhaps you lost everything and were ostracized as a result. Whatever your "perhaps" is, an emotional need was not met. So, what do you do when you are left to grapple with personal pain, anguish, and inner turmoil? Do what David did.
When David's back was against the wall, he encouraged himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). Consider the word encouraged in Hebrew from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
H2388--chazaq: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, to be secure
It is so important to note and remember that at no time is a child of God alone. This is good news! Even in times of life's great pain, distress, and disappointment--God is a refuge and very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). That is a biblical truth that we have been given the free will and volitional choice to believe and grab hold of by faith or not. There is a supernatural peace and sense of security that we begin to experience when we lean in to the words of our Father. For example, if you are a parent, your words have the ability to calm, settle, and reassure your child. Would you agree? So it is with our heavenly Father, when we take our lament to him and receive the truths of his word--our hearts will be encouraged.
I can recall an instance in which I experienced an extremely hostile and caustic verbal attack that seemingly came out of nowhere. My attempts to reason where met with vilifying, gaslighting, name-calling, and toxic berating. I was stunned, to say the least. My every word seemed to dig a deeper hole. Obviously, at that point, there was no logical reason to attempt to resolve the conflict. I remembered leaving that exchange feeling bewildered; with a myriad of emotions from disbelief to anger to hurt to shock. I felt misunderstood, falsely accused, and very alone. My soul had been wounded and I was greatly discouraged and sad. However, rather than lick my wounds, I made a decision to turn to the Lord and find help, hope, healing, and encouragement in Him. It took time and a relentless pursuit of God, but I can say that the Lord did a supernatural work in my heart.
If you are facing an "alone challenge" today, may I encourage you with the word of God?
- Deuteronomy 31:6
- Psalm 27:5
- Psalm 30:5
- Psalm 57:1
- Isaiah 40:31
- Romans 8:37
- I Corinthians 10:13
As it relates to David in 1 Samuel 30, in the end, David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken! The victory came when he turned his eyes to the Lord when everyone else had turned their backs on him.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for your word. Help us to remember that, in you, we are never alone. We thank you for the truth that you are for us and you desire goodness in our lives. We pray for the strength and security that comes from receiving the truth of your word. Help us to keep our eyes and our hearts stayed on you so that we may experience supernatural peace (Isaiah 26:3). Give us the resolve to encourage ourselves in you. Amen
