“So David and his men came to the city, and behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep…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: 3-4 & 6
In the above scripture we see one of the keys to David’s great success. No matter what trial or challenge he was facing, he encouraged himself in the Lord. He would remind himself of God’s promises for His life. He would get his eyes off the circumstance and look to the Lord. He trusted the Lord with all of his heart. He believed God’s promises for his life, more than he believed the current circumstance. This is the key to victory!
At this point, David already had set back after set back. King Saul had turned on him. He had to flee from the palace in secret and hide in caves. He was falsely accused and treated like a criminal. The entire army of Israel was pursuing David to kill him. Those he had commanded in battle and faithfully served, were now trying to take his life. He went from being a hero in the land to an enemy. Yet, he did not give up. He continued to encourage himself in the Lord. Some of the most encouraging Psalms were written during this time.
In 1 Samuel 21, we see how David had nothing to eat and resorted to eating the “shew bread” which is the holy bread of the priests in the temple. He then ran to a city called Gath outside of his country to escape. However, when the people recognized him and brought him before the king, he had to pretend he had gone mad, spit on himself and feign insanity to escape.
Eventually others who were in distress, in debt, and discontented joined David. They didn’t know it at the time, but these men later became Daviid’s “Mighty Men” that did exploits. David had many difficulties during this time. Yet he continued to believe God’s promises for his life. In the above scripture, at Ziklag, he was having one of his worst days yet. In this account, he and his men had returned home after travelling and found their entire village burned to the ground and everything stolen, including their family members. This was enough to cause David’s men to decide they had enough, and they wanted to stone him.
David inquired of the Lord about what to do. The Lord answered and told him to “Pursue and Recover All”. David had a choice, he could believe the word and act on it, or give into the circumstances. He chose to believe God. He encouraged his men after encouraging himself. They pursued and recovered all, just as God had said. Eventually of course, after many trials and much time, David became king, just as God had promised.
The circumstances that could have been used to take him out, instead set him up to be one of the wisest, most successful kings of all time. Through his seed came THE KING OF KINGS. The key was that he honored God. He did not waiver in his belief or commitment towards God. He continued to encourage himself no matter what the circumstances looked like. He held tightly onto God’s promises. He sung about His promises, he meditated on His promises, He wrote the Psalms about His promises. He cleaved to God with all of his might and He would not let go. He honored God in his actions, his words, his thoughts and his heart. He even honored King Saul by not speaking a bad word against him. He never attempted to fight Saul, because he was the King God had anointed. He trusted that God would take care of everything concerning him.
2020 has been a challenging year for so many people. Yet, if you cleave to God, keep His promises before you, meditate on His Word day and night, you will find that one of your most challenging years can turn into a launching pad for your season of greatness. Never give up! We have the victory.
Jesus tells us in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
As we prepare to enter the New Year, Thank God for all that He has done for you this year. Remind yourself of His promises. Stay strong and stay faithful to the Lord. Do not give up, do not give in and you will go from faith to faith and glory to glory! Your best days are ahead of you! God will confirm His promises and His covenant in your life!
2 Samuel 22:2
“And he said, The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer: The God of my rock: in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower: and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 20-24, 26 & 30, Psalm 103, Psalm 18, Psalm 23, Psalm 34, Psalm 37, Hebrews 11
