“...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” — I Samuel 30:6b
We face challenges both from within and without. Sometimes these challenges become overwhelming, and we become very discouraged.
At these times we need to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God. It is good to receive encouragement from others. But sometimes there is no one else around to encourage us. Sometimes there is no one who is willing to encourage us. And sometimes the encouragement of others, no matter how earnest, fails to encourage us. But whether there are other sources of encouragement or not, we always need to encourage ourselves in the Lord. David is one who did just that.
As a youth, David encouraged himself by remembering what the Lord had done in the past. David, when yet a lad, was willing to fight the giant warrior Goliath because he remembered how God had delivered both a bear and a lion into his hand (I Samuel 17:32-37).
On another occasion, David brought God’s judgment on both himself and Israel by numbering the people. David was given a choice of three punishments: three years of famine, three months under the sword of Israel’s enemies or three days directly under the punishing hand of God. David encouraged himself in the Lord by remembering that God is great with mercy. So rather than choosing to be in the hand of an indiscriminate famine or the hands of cruel enemies, David chose to place himself and Israel in the hands of his merciful God (I Corinthians 21:13).
The apostle Paul is also one who encouraged himself in the Lord. Paul had an affliction for which he prayed to God three times to remove. The Lord would not remove the affliction because Paul needed it to protect him from pride. However, God told Paul that He would supply the grace Paul needed to deal with the affliction. Paul was encouraged in the Lord by the gift of God’s grace and was able to glory in the affliction (II Corinthians 12:9).
One doesn’t have to be a hero of Scripture to encourage oneself in the Lord. We can all reflect upon our God and be encouraged in Him.
I was greeted recently by a friend with the question, “Mr. Green, what do you know good?” I have often greeted others the same way. I remember a particular response that I received to this question many years ago, and it was this same response I gave to my friend: “God is still on His throne!” To remember that God is the Sovereign King and has all power and wisdom, to remember that God is in full control at all times, is a great encouragement.
Lately, I have found myself needing encouragement with regularity.
During these times I have been blessed to remember that Jesus loved His own unto the end (John 13:1); that the love of God is eternal, having no beginning or end (Jeremiah 31:3); that God will never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5); and that His thoughts toward His children are thoughts of peace, not evil, to give them an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).
I have been blessed to remember that because He loved us, He walked the path we now walk. He understands our experience and is touched by our infirmities and gives us immediate access to Himself in prayer (Hebrews 5:15-16). I have been blessed to remember that when the world brings its tribulation on us, as it will, He tells us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
This victory which He achieved is given to us (I Corinthians 15:57) so that we can also overcome. These remembrances of my God’s love and care for His children and His church have been a great encouragement to me.
We need encouraging as we travel life’s path. To this end we can recall what God has done in the past, we may remember His promises, and we can think upon His magnificent characteristics. So let our minds dwell upon Him and let us encourage ourselves in the Lord our God.
•Philip Green is pastor of Greenwood Primitive Baptist Church.
