Strengthening Yourself In The Lord Your God

Today's Word of Encouragement from Wayne:

"David strengthened himself in the Lord his God"

1 Samuel 30:6

This verse does not say that the Lord strengthened David but that "David strengthened himself in the Lord." David did not pray, "O Lord strengthen me please." "David strengthened himself in the Lord." The people were turning against David and speaking of stoning him, but the first thing David did was to strengthen himself in the Lord.

David knew that, as Psalm 96 declared, "strength and beauty are in His sanctuary" (Psalm 96:6). "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" first, in God’s presence. When we minister to the Lord we are strengthening ourselves in the Lord our God. When trouble threatens us, let us repair quickly to the presence of our God and show Him how He is first in our lives through our ministering to the Lord.

By strengthening ourselves in the Lord first, we are best prepared to deal with all of life’s challenges, tribulations, setbacks, and difficulties. In this account from 1st Samuel, "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" first, and that’s what turned everything around. David did not give up. He did not throw in the towel and walk away. He sought God in His presence first, and then strengthened himself there. And it was while he was in God’s presence that David received the word to pursue and win the victory, which he did.

Dear beloved of God, don‘t give up but do press in and strengthen your life this day in the Lord your God. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him" (Psalm 28:7). Hallelujah!