Title: Dealing with Despair
Text I Samuel 30:1-6
Intro: We all have crisis in our lives. Times when we feel there is neither hope nor anywhere to turn for relief. Many of us feel that we are living in a perpetual state of crisis and that God himself has turned a deaf ear toward us.
This must have been what David was feeling that day. David understood adversity:
- Chased by Saul
- Living in the wilderness
- Living with Philistines
- Army wanting to stone him
But David knew how to deal with despair, He encourage himself in God.
In our lives we face an enemy that wants to tear us down and keep us down until we are completely destroyed. He accomplishes this task by first stealing small things from us.
- Our Passion
- Our Love for Others
- Our Thirst for the Word
- Our Desire to Worship
- The Joy of our Life in Christ
Ultimately he try’s to destroy our faith, and he does this through bringing discouragement into our lives.
I. David knew how to seek God
1. David ask for the Ephod
2. God is never taken by surprise by our problems
- The God we serve:
· Is Omnipotent
· Is Omniscient
· Is never out of control
3. Joshua lost battle of Ai because he failed to inquire of God
4. Israel lost ark because they had quit seeking God’s will
5. Nothing is impossible with God
6. Encourage yourself in God’s will
When God bolts the door, don’t try to get in through the window. The will of God never will lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.
7. We must align our will with God’s will if we are to experience victory & joy in this life
8. In times of distress we must realize that God in control
ILL. My family sleep’s better when they know that Daddy is in the next room. Because there is nothing that can happen to them in the night that dad cannot handle. If there is a bump in the night, or a bad dream they can call out “daddy” and they know I not only hear them I move in their direction to take care of their needs.
II. David Knew the Strength of God
1. David had learned to trust God’s strength and abilities
- With the Lion
- With the Bear
- With the Giant
- And in Battle
2. David could have argued with God
- “But God we’re tired”
- “I’ve had enough running”
- “Forced from my home”
- “Living in the land of heathens”
- “Lose my family”
- “My men want to stone me”
3. David knew it was not time for pity party
- God could give him the strength he needed
- I believe he began to seek God
- Not asking why, - “Why did you let this happen?”
- But asking how, - “How do you want me to proceed?”
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
ILL. GOD: He has power to work on our problems
- In the early days of the automobile a man’s Model-T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. He couldn’t get it started no matter how hard he cranked nor how much he tried to advance the spark or adjust things under the hood. Just then a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him, and a wiry, energetic man stepped out from the back seat and offered his assistance. After tinkering for a few moments the stranger said, "Now try it!" Immediately the engine leaped to life. The well-dressed individual then identified himself as Henry Ford. "I designed and built these cars," he said, "so I know what to do when something goes wrong." God, as our creator knows how to "fix" us when our lives are under attack.
4. It is not our strength or abilities that sees us through but
our Abilities to rely on His strength.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
5. Our strength & power comes from our relationship with God. He is our power source.
III. David Knew How to Trust in God
1. Many things David didn’t know but God did.
- Didn’t know which way to go
- He didn’t know how big the foe was
- He didn’t know if families were dead or safe
- He didn’t know if his army would even make it to battle
- Part of his army went so far they couldn’t go any farther
- God brought him someone to show him where the Amilikites were.
- Fought from mid-day until evening the next day and won battle
- Got back all families and treasures
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
2. We must learn to trust God to take care of every situation
- There is a difference in intercession and worry
a. Worry is when I am trusting in my own strength and abilities
b. Intercession is when I turn it over to God.
- I have not forgotten my need or problem
- I am just not consumed by it because I am doing my part and I am trusting God to do His part.
3. When I am weak that is when He is strong
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
4. Truth of the matter is this:
- Not that “God helps those that help themselves
- But rather “God helps those who trust in the Lord with all their heart, and lean not on their own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
5. We must do what God tells us to do & trust Him to do the rest
Trust, In God:
Gladys Aylward, missionary to China more than fifty years ago, was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. But she could not leave her work behind. With only one assistant, she led more than a hundred orphans over the mountains toward Free China. In their book "The Hidden Price of Greatness," Ray Besson and Ranelda Mack Hunsicker tell what happened:
During Gladys’s harrowing journey out of war-torn Yangcheng ... she grappled with despair as never before. After passing a sleepless night, she faced the morning with no hope of reaching safety. A 13-year-old girl in the group reminded her of their much-loved story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. "But I am not Moses," Gladys cried in desperation. "Of course you aren’t," the girl said, "but Jehovah is still God!"
When Gladys and the orphans made it through, they proved once again that no matter how inadequate we feel, God is still God, and we can trust in him.
- Jonathan G. Yandell Garden Grove, California
Conclusion: Not only did they get back everything that was stolen from them but they received great spoils for the victory. What ever you are facing remember to encourage yourself in your God.
- Seek His direction for your life
- Seek His strength to see you through every trial
- Keep The faith
Not only will you recover everything that the enemy has stolen but you will gain a great reward.
