But David found strength in the Lord his God – 1 Samuel 30:6

The difference between hopelessness and promise is Jesus. Those who know this truth have found comfort and encouragement in Him over the years. Apart from the Savior of the world, there are no guarantees in life. But with His presence, the storms of life can never sweep His trusting people away. Things may seem daunting and overwhelming, but when Jesus speaks to them, everything will have to give way or fall in line.

Sometimes we panic and cry in desperation, as the disciples did, when a furious squall came down on the lake and threatened to sink their boat. Jesus “rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm” (Lk. 8:24). Other times, we run for our life and wish we would die, like Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), or do something stupid, like Esau (Gen. 25: 32-34), or King Saul (1 Sam. 13:8-14). But blessed are they who remain confident in the Lord enough to stand against the tide and look to Him for encouragement and strength; they always come up victorious for God’s glory. That courage and confidence in the Lord is what set David apart from King Saul and made Him the delight of God and His people (1 Sam. 18:7-9).

At one time when David was on the run from Saul, he sought refuge from Achish, the king of the Philistines, who settled him and his fighting men in Ziklag. Their Philistine generals rejected David’s participation in a war with Israel. David and his men returned to Ziklag and found it burned down and looted. The Amalekites had invaded the town and taken all their wives and children captive. David’s men blamed him and, in bitterness of heart, thought of stoning him. “David was greatly distressed … but [he] found strength in the Lord his God” (30:6). It is one of the best scriptures on encouragement, and I would like to share four thoughts from Daniel Henderson in his blog, “The Potential of Personal Encouragement” (Jan. 16 2017).

First, Henderson makes the case that, “Discouragement is a temporary loss of perspective usually incited by an emotionally difficult circumstance.” David did not lose his perspective. Rather, he looked to Him and drew strength for the impossible.

Second, when we are discouraged, the situation may not be as bad as it seems. Looking at the disaster, the men thought all was lost, but in God’s direction and power, they recovered everything from the Amalekites. That’s how deceptive our imagination can be. So avoid the urge to do something regrettable when discouraged.

Third, we should not be defined by people or circumstances.  David could have fallen victim to his men’s unfaithful and erratic behavior, but he kept his cool and looked to God for deliverance and the way forward. “When we choose rightly, we live a secure and hopeful existence,” he counsels.

Fourth, he concludes that in the presence of God, there is assurance. David asked for the ephod and consulted God, who assured him of victory (1 Sam. 30:8). He “understood the empowering presence of the Lord.”

Maybe you are in David’s shoes today. You may be encouraged to lift your eyes from your circumstances and to fix them on Jesus, “the Author and Perfecter our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He knows the way and will direct you to victory.

So, encourage yourself in the Lord in your darkest hour, and receive His power to rise above the shadows of death that may be haunting you. In Christ, you are more than conqueror (Rm. 8:37).