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Strengthen Yourself

Sunday, October 4

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”

Devotion

David was deeply upset and troubled because the people wanted to stone him. The Amalekites had burned Ziklag and captured the women and everyone else who had been left behind. The people blamed David, believing that if they had been there, it would not have happened. Yet, even in the midst of his own grief, David chose to pray and praise the Lord. When everything seemed hopeless, he still went before God in worship. David had learned that the way through difficult seasons was to draw closer to God, and he trusted that God would see him through this one. He knew he could not face what was ahead in his own strength; he needed to spend time in the presence of God. 

In his message last Sunday, Pastor Franklin talked about the importance of prayer and praise. He described it as incense. Our worship is important to God, and incense is a symbol of constant devotion. Every day and every minute of our lives should be given over to Him. Praise and prayer change the atmosphere. They lift our spirits. Pastor Franklin said that it takes seasons of suffering for us to become like Jesus. Often, when things are good, we forget to thank and praise God. It is when we are up against the wall that we cry out, when no one else can help us.

We cry out, we sing, and suddenly our heaviness is lifted. The problem may not have gone away, but we have peace because we know who is in control—and it is not us. Our fears begin to fade as we place our confidence in God, trusting that He is with us and will help us.

Whining and complaining, like the Israelites did, accomplishes nothing. God wants us to reach out to Him instead. When life becomes difficult, we can lift our hands in worship. Worship draws us closer to God, strengthens our faith, and gives us hope. So go ahead—pray to Him and praise Him. When life gets hard, that is when we need Him even more.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I will sing of your mercies forever. I worship You because You are good. You have been so faithful to me. With a grateful heart, I come before You to bring You my thanksgiving and praise. You have been merciful to me. Thank You Lord. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Part of prayer is bringing the offering of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Thanksgiving develops a grateful heart, so we appreciate the mercy God has shown us. When you approach the Lord in prayer today, give Him thanks for all that He has done. Read Psalm 116.

Resources
  • Make Sunday a day to encounter God! Join us at 9 & 11 AM for powerful worship and a life-changing word at a Free Chapel campus near you—or join us online. Come expecting God to move!
  • When you feel discouraged, remember—you can learn how to encourage yourself in the Lord. Watch “How to Encourage Yourself” and be strengthened in your faith today!