Life can be extremely discouraging. Discouragement is defined as being in a state of loss of confidence, enthusiasm, or dispiritedness. I would add the loss of hope to that definition. Most often, discouragement comes from situations that are part of being human. It may be a health crisis, challenges in your marriage, worry over kids, or being stuck in a routine that you feel there is no way out. All these things may discourage us. It’s not easy, but it is part of life…grumble…grumble…grumble.
This week’s lesson comes from 1 Sam 30:1-8. Take a moment to read that. I’ll wait.
A W Tozer writes in his book, The Counselor, “It is part of my belief that God wants to get us to a place where we would still be happy if we had only Him!” I will never profess that God is the root of my discouragement. It often comes from the tension between what God wants and what I want. Let’s face it: as humans, we want what we want. As believers, we also recognize that what we want is often not best for us. So, we are discouraged.
My wife and I have a beautiful, spunky daughter who is now spreading her wings as an adult. She is currently halfway around the world, serving in a foreign nation for three months. Last Wednesday night, as I sat thinking about her trip, I realized that God was calling me to a place of total surrender of my daughter.
From the first moment I held her, I acknowledged that she belonged to God. As her dad, I grapple with being unable to protect her and be there as she is halfway around the world. I was driving in my car alone and quietly praying, and the Spirit spoke to me; I recognized I now must trust God for her entirely. I’m not discouraged today; I strengthen myself in The Lord, My God. I trust Jesus to take care of my baby girl.
David was in a desperate situation. Everything and everyone was suddenly against him. Our text highlights several details of this situation. David and his troops were away from their families. While gone, their families and possessions were captured by their enemy. These soldiers encountered tragedy and loss. These, the toughest fighters of Israel, openly wept.
This was also personal for David as he was now separated from all three of his wives and his children. Michal was taken by her father Saul and given to another man. Now, Ahinoam and Abigail were taken by these raiders. David’s men looked for someone to blame, but David began looking for a solution. David did what every believer should do; he strengthened himself in the Lord. David turned to God’s arm for help because that was his only option.
In verses 6-8, we see that David called the priest, and he enquired of the Lord. It seems obvious, but we tend to mess this one up…along with many other things. I want you to look at how Saul and David handle desperate situations differently. One commentator believes these two things happened on the same day.
David was desperate for deliverance, so he sought the Lord for direction.
King Saul was also desperate for deliverance but sought a medium at Endor.
Due to these two situations, Saul was promised death, but David was promised life. It’s almost as if Saul approached God from an unfamiliar position. While the direct translation from verse 6 says, “he strengthened himself in YHWH his God.” For David, this was a personal relationship. He took his desperation to the one he knew could fix it.
See, this principle applies to us as individuals and to the Church. Can you say with confidence that He is the Lord, MY God? It is personal, and in times of discouragement and desperation, you know to run to Him. Rather than focusing on our weaknesses, we must focus on Christ’s strength.
How? By seeking His will. God wants to use our moments of discouragement to drive us back to a place of surrender and prayer. To seek Him above all else. To make Christ our highest goal.
Don’t be discouraged; strengthen and encourage yourself in the Lord Your God. I hate discouragement, but I’m thankful King David gave us a plan. Now, it’s up to us to do it.
This blog is partially adapted from my sermon, The Lord, My God, Jan 21, 24.
Through Time 