Wow – God’s Word teems with nuggets of truth and encouragement. I journal my thoughts as I read it, and my notes are growing more extensive as time passes. Besides writing general insights about how Scripture applies to me today, I’ve been collecting verses that fall into various categories.
One of those categories is leadership. What a fascinating study! Now I’m ready to develop a 3-session package designed for women in ministry leadership positions. Can’t wait! I’ll be presenting this seminar for the first time at Ness Lake Bible Camp in November.
Anyway… on to today’s thought.
David’s life was not easy. Take a look at 1 Samuel 29-30 and step into his sandals for a moment:
- His integrity is questioned when he partners with the Philistines for war against Israel, and he’s told to go home. “No battle for you, Buddy.” (29:9-11)
- After walking for three days, he arrives at his city and finds it burned to the ground. He and his men discover that their wives and children have been taken captive by the enemy (30:1-3).
- He and his men are probably physically exhausted from their journey. Now they’re emotionally drained, too. In light of losing their homes, their belongings, and their families, they sit down and weep “until they could weep no more” (30:4).
- His men become bitter about losing their families, and they begin talking about stoning David (30:6).
David has lost everything – his reputation, his home, his family, and his army’s support. He has every reason to sink into the pit of discouragement. Who would blame him if he withdrew and became a hermit? But he refuses to give up. Scripture says he “found strength in the Lord his God” (30:7). He asks God for help, and then he goes to battle, trusting God for victory.
We can learn much from David’s response to difficulties. When our circumstances seem too much to bear, we can follow his example and find our strength in the Lord. No matter what we face, God will give us what we need to push through.
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!” (Psalm 118:14,15)
Here’s a question for discussion: When you’ve faced discouragement, how have you strengthened yourself in the Lord?
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