ENCOURAGING YOURSELF

TEXT:  "... David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." - 1 Samuel 30:6

Have you ever had a bad day?  If you're like me, you've numerous bad days.  But sometimes you will face a super-bad day, a day that makes even bad days seem wonderful.  In our text, David was facing such a day. 

How bad was David's day?  First of all, he was fired from his job.  He had been serving in the Philistine army and was a winner in every battle.  However, as the Philistines prepared for war with Israel, David was seen as a liability rather than an asset, so he & his men were sent home.

Secondly, when David & his men returned they found their homes burned.  While David and his men were off fighting for the Philistines, the Amalekites had come and destroyed their homes. 

Third, David & his men didn't even have family members to greet them when they returned.  The Amalekites had taken them captive.  As a result of these traumatic events, the Bible states that David and his men, "... lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep."  That is a bad day, isn't it?

To make things worse for David, his men even discussed the possibility of stoning him, possibly blaming David, in some way, for their situation.

Think about it.  David had no job, no home, no family and no friends.  Even his men had turned against him.  That is a bad day, indeed.

How do you deal with the worst possible days?  I can't honestly say that I've always responded to such days like I should.  The real question is this:  how should we deal with the worst possible days?  It is wrong to believe that Christians are immune to such days.  Following Jesus does not prevent really bad days from coming.  You'd think that the closer you follow Jesus, the better the days would be.  David was a man after God's own heart, yet he had really bad days.  To lose so much at one time is a horrible experience.  Yet David emerged from the event a stronger man.  What did David do?  Our text states that he encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

When the worst possible days come, how does a person encourage himself in the Lord?  Let me give you a few things that I believe David did.

1.            ISOLATION

First of all, David had to isolate himself from others and seek God.  When I read the Bible, I find that great men got alone to find help, comfort and assurance.  Many well-meaning people may try to force their views on you during times of adversity, but in such moments, you need to get alone with God.

2.            SUPPLICATION

Getting alone is important, but only as it leads us to have communion with God.  I believe the worst possible days give us opportunity to get honest with God and ourselves.  Although Christians believe in honesty, it is during the worst of days that we really get transparent in our prayers.  Prayer becomes real and vibrant.  We bear our souls to God, pouring out our emotional pain to Him.  Our prayers become like the drink offering in the Old Testament.  In those painful moments, the floodgate of tears is opened and we pour out our hearts to God in prayer.

3.            MEDITATION

I believe that David's attention turned from his problems to the One who could solve them.  Meditation is a Biblical experience that few believers practice.  The worst days should drive us to our knees --- but also we should be driven to God's Word.  It is easy to get overwhelmed when events are so dismal.  From God's Word we realize that when things seem to get out of control, they are still under God's control. 

4.            DIRECTION

David sought the counsel of God.  When things were so bad, David needed to know what to do.  Often, the most critical decisions need to be made when we are least able to make them.  We need God's direction.  His guidance can help us emerge from bad days. 

5.            SUBMISSION

Finally, David submitted himself to the will of God.  When he learned what God wanted him to do, David obeyed.  Often we face really bad days so that the integrity of our faith may be tested.  Do we only serve God during the good days?  Are we serious about trusting God when all seems lost?  Do we believe God simply because He is God?  Though David was always a victor in battle, the key to his victories came because of his total surrender to God.  God wants our trust, devotion and total surrender --- regardless of the circumstances.  Sometimes God permits the worst of circumstances to teach us this lesson.

When we seem to lose everything, we learn that everything that really matters can never be lost.  David did not encourage himself in his circumstances.  David did not encourage himself in his relationships.  David did not encourage himself in possessions or achievements.  Instead, David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

I believe David's experience could be compared to the Apostle Paul, who admitted that he lost all things:  "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." 

When all you have left is the Lord, you'll realize that He is all you really need.  That is how you encourage yourself in the Lord.