Find Your Strength

“David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6 NLT)

The recorded word of 1 Samuel 30 reveals David in a difficult position of his life. He and the men of his army returned to Ziklag, only to find that their wives, children, material possessions and all they had were stolen from them. Unsure of their state of being, they assumed that their loved ones were deceased and their possessions would never be returned. As a result, the men were irate and angry. They directed a lot of their frustrated emotions on David, even though he too was a sufferer in the situation. David felt alone. Yet, instead of giving up – he prayed, encouraged himself in the name of the Lord and found the strength to help others.

As a result of David’s time of encouragement and strength, he sought the Lord about the recovery process and the Lord led him in the pathway for total restoration. Everyone in the camp – even the complainers – were recipients of restored blessings because David took the time to find strength in the name of the Lord.

Saints of God, it is so easy to become discouraged especially when there are negative situations in your pathway and the resolutions do not seem to be within your grasp, but you cannot give up regardless of what it appears to be to the natural eye. There is so much at stake for you and for those around you! Even when there is no one there to pat you on the back or to speak an encouraging word into your life, you must find strength anyhow. Yes, it is difficult and yes it can be overwhelming at times but it is a temporal season to bring you to a destination of ultimate good.

As you journey throughout this day and week, there will be some situations you will encounter that will cause you to feel overwhelmed, saddened and/or discouraged, but remember these emotions are temporal while the plan of God for your life is eternal. It’s worth it to struggle through minor affliction especially when it leads to maximum good.

Find your strength – sing the songs of worship and praise even in the midst of adversity, pray and spend quiet time listening for the voice and leadership of God, read the scriptural passages that bring you hope and inspirations, count your blessings and record them on paper… whatever you do, find your strength in the Lord! Hold on to his unchanging hand and in the soon time thereafter you will see as David did the blessings of restoration. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.

Today, your situation is in the hands of God. He knows what you have lost, what you seek to gain, what has been wrongfully done to you, what you deserve and what you will ultimately receive. Let him guide you in a pathway for greatness. And whenever it looks dim or bleak, remember your hope is not in the promises of man but the promises of God. He will perfect everything concerning you. Find your strength today in him. The rewards will benefit you and your atmosphere for eternity.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your plan for my life and the process to achieve such. I seek your divine will and promise, regardless of the appearance to the natural eye. I find strength in you, as you are the source of my strength and the center of my joy. Continue to equip me with all that I need to follow you and be planted on higher ground. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

*Some of my favorite Biblical passages of inspiration are Romans 8, Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Jeremiah 29, Philippians 1 and 1 Thessalonians 4.