But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 (NASB)
In 1 Samuel 30, we find David and his 600 men returning to Ziklag, where they lived with their families in Philistine territory. David and his men had been traveling for three days. When they arrived, they found their homes burned to the ground and their families nowhere to be found. While the men had been away, the Amalekites attacked Ziklag and burned it, taking captive the women and all in the city, both young and old.
Here these men had been traveling for three days. They were more than likely wasted from their trip. I can imagine they looked forward to being home with their families, sleeping in their own beds but instead, they find trouble had literally knocked on their door. I’m sure out of their exhaustion and surprise, 1 Samuel30:4 says, “So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”
Now, if this isn’t enough stress, David finds himself in more trouble. All of his men began to blame him for this situation. They became so upset they talked about killing him! 1 Samuel 30:6, “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.”
The pressures of life can become insurmountable! The palms of your hands begin to sweat. The heart begins to beat faster. Your mind wants to spin out of control. This is exactly where David found himself. It wouldn’t surprise me if thoughts of worry began to cross his mind. Those thoughts didn’t hang around for long if this is the case. Instead of allowing himself to become overpowered by the situation, he found strength in his God! The Bible says, “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (the last phrase of 1 Samuel 30:6).
David worshiped God in the midst of the pressures of life. He reminded himself of God’s character and attributes. “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).David also reminded himself of God’s faithfulness in past pressures of life. God helped him protect the sheep from a bear and a lion (see 1 Samuel 17:34-37). God helped him defeat Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17). God continually protected him from King Saul’s attempts to kill him.
David’s response shows his great insight into the character of God because he went to Him for comfort when everything and everyone was against him. He knew there was no one to turn to for strength in such an overwhelming crisis except the LORD. When the pressures of life become daunting and overwhelming, strengthen yourself in the LORD your God and ask Him for direction. He will be faithful to comfort and strengthen you. He will make your path straight (see Proverbs 3:5-6).
Finding strength in the LORD my God,
Pastor Tom
Pastor Tom