“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
Many people have heard the story of David and Goliath and how the young David defeated the giant. Yet so many don’t realize the struggles David faced after this great triumph. For a time, everything seemed to be falling in place for David to become king, just as Samuel had prophecied. David was invited into the king’s palace. He led the king’s armies into battles and had great victories. However, King Saul became jealous of David and eventually turned on him. He falsely accused him and soon the entire army of Israel sought to find and kill David.
During this time, many who were disenfranchised, and in debt and outcasts joined David. He and his men had to hide in caves and constantly be on the run. They were fugitives. By the Holy Spirit, David wrote many of the beautiful Psalms during this time. He learned how to encourage himself in the Lord. David was a gifted musician. The Psalms that he wrote were prayer songs. Some were songs of praise, others of thanksgiving. Some were songs of prayer petitions while others were songs of remembrance to remind himself of God’s faithfulness. Whenever David faced trials, persecution, or even victories, he sung a Psalm to the Lord. He encouraged himself in the Lord by reminding himself of God’s promises and God’s character.
Even during one of his greatest challenges, when it looked like all hope was lost, David kept his heart stayed on the Lord. At one point, the village where he and his men had found to stay was raided by the enemy, burned to the ground and their wives and children were taken captive. Now, not only was he being hunted down by the entire army of Israel, but another enemy had come to his hiding place and utterly destroyed it. When he and his men returned to the village, everything was gone. It’s during this time that even these men who had supported David, now turned on him and spoke of stoning him. You could say that things went from bad to worse for David. He was the furthest from looking like a king. In fact, it looked like it was over for David, that all his dreams and hopes had come to nothing.
However, David refused to give up. He remembered the words of the Lord that were prophecied over him. Instead of giving into fear and depression, He stirred up his faith. The scripture says that he encouraged himself in the Lord. He pressed into God and sought Him for the answer. He reminded himself of God’s faithfulness.
God answered David and told him to “Pursue and Recover All”. David obeyed and sure enough, he and his men not only recovered all that was lost, but they ended up gaining treasures from the enemy when they were victorious over them. David eventually became king, and we know that Jesus came from the line of David. Even to this day, King David is honored in Israel with the “Star of David” which is on their flag.
When we face various trials, it is so important to remember to keep our eyes on God’s promises. We need to do like David and stir up our faith and encourage ourselves in the Lord. God is faithful. His Word will never fail!
As you take time to read the following Psalms remember that David wrote many of these prayer songs during some of his greatest trials. Whatever challenges you are facing, you will overcome as well. Keep your eyes on Jesus, knowing He is the author and perfector of your faith! We have a new and even better covenant than David even had! We have even better promises. We are new creatures in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit now dwells in our hearts. The very power of God resides within us now! If David can have the victory under the old covenant, how much more can we have the victory now that we are living in the new covenant, sealed by the blood of Jesus! Take time to meditate on these Psalms and God’s goodness and faithfulness. You have the victory through Christ!
Further reading: Hebrews 8 &9, 1 Samuel 30, Psalm 3, Psalm 4, Psalm 5, Psalm 31, Psalm 34, Psalm 37, Psalm 40, Psalm 103, Psalm 145
