March 9, 2007

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

And you thought you had it bad! Just imagine being in David's place: his own king (whom he'd been ordained to seceed) wants to kill him, so he's living with and serving his natural enemies. He's willing to fight his own kinsmen for those enemies who have taken him in, but they will have nothing to do with him and send him home. Back at home a second set of enemies has burned his town and kidnapped his wives and children. Now the men who love him most want to ritualistically kill him!

But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

There's that all-caps LORD again--Jehovah, the Almighty God. David was at (arguably) the low-point of his life, yet he was encouraged. Why? Because he realized that the most-high, almighty God was his God! That this God had not abandoned him and was standing by to protect and guide him. That same God is your God. And he's standing by to protect and guide you! Encourage yourself in the LORD your God--it will all be okay!