Finding Strength in God

We all grow discouraged when trouble comes. It is most difficult when people close to us turn against us. Sometimes the reasons for the trouble lie beyond our control. During such times how should we react to it? There are many ways to do so. Often we react bitterly against the person or persons causing us pain and trouble. Instead of such an approach, even when there seems to be no way out, you can choose to find strength in God.

That is what David did. While he and his men were away on an assignment, their enemies had come and burned down their camp and carried off their wives and sons and daughters as captives. They fully plundered the camp too. When David and his men reached the camp and had found this out, everybody wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. Imagine that situation. How helpless you would have felt if you were in their shoes?

It was then that suddenly and unexpectedly the men started to talk of stoning David. And David became greatly distressed. Any man’s courage would have left him in such a situation. “But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 NIV). Ah, here is the secret we need to learn. When faced with distressing situations in life, when those nearest to us are against us, let us find strength in the Lord. David knew that He had a personal friend to whom he could turn to, his shepherd-God who was willing to take him up in His arms and embrace him tight and rescue him from trouble. He turned to His guardian, the one who could protect and care for him.

Surely David would have thought of God’s past mercies, his faithfulness, his protection and guidance in all the troubles he had in his life till then. Surely David would have remembered how when he was being hunted down by Saul, Jonathan came and “helped him find strength in God” (1 Samuel 23:16). Then Jonathan had reminded David of God’s promise to him to make him king. Yes, David would have thought about it and found courage to encourage himself in God once again.

Two things followed. David inquired of God seeking His guidance. And God gave him the go-ahead to go to rescue his people. Not only that God assured him of success. Even though one-third of his men were left behind because they were too exhausted to pursue the enemy David continued the pursuit because he had found strength in his God. After catching up with their enemies and fighting with them, David recovered everything that the Amalekites had taken; nothing was missing.

Dear child of God, in spite of the trouble you are in today, you can find strength in your God. He is near to you. Just focus on what God has done for you in the past. Focus on His faithfulness. He is on your side. He will not forsake you. Cry out to him. Even when others speak against you, you can find strength in your God and recover all that the enemy has carried away.

 

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