~1 Samuel 30:6 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.
David's family had been taken, his town burned to the ground and there were threats of putting him to death. But David encouraged himself in the Lord. How? He turned to God in prayer (verse 8)! He remembered God's goodness toward him in time of need.
But God did not always answer David's prayers according to the way David wanted them to be answered. A good example was later on when David fasted and prayed during Bathsheba's delivery of the baby conceived out of adultery and murder. I'm sure the baby's death was not what David had hoped for. David continued in the Lord despite of the outcome.
How has it been with your prayer life? Have you forsaken it because God did not answer you the way you wanted? Thank God that His faithfulness is not dependent on ours! So many times we miss out on His blessings because we have given up too soon.
David continued to encourage himself in the Lord, his God! How can we do this? There are many ways! The Apostle Paul taught us:
~Philippans 4:7-9 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
When you think that God is not hearing, don't give up on your faithfulness to Him. Continue on - press forward - think on all things that are good in your life - remember the blessings He has done for you - even if you have to dig to find them! Everyone of us who is born again can count the blessing of salvation as number one! And, to be perfectly honest with you, that should be enough :-)
Count it all joy, James says.
~James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
All that we go through in this lifetime will seem minuscule compared to the joys awaiting us in Heaven. But in the mean time, each trial will build our faith. As our faith builds, we develop patience for the upcoming trial knowing that the God of Heaven is still on His throne and desires to help us through each one. Our faith will be made sight one of these days. Therefore, build your faith - trust in your God - and think on all the things Paul encourages us to think on. You will be blessed!
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