In 1 Samuel 30 David was in trouble. While David and his men were away on a mission, their city was raided by a renegade band of Amalekites. David and his men returned to find everything gone and the city burned to the ground. The loss was devastating. The Bible says David’s men sat down and wept until they could weep no more.
That’s when the anger set in, and David was the nearest target.
Grieving his own personal loss, and with a rising discontent in the air, David did the best thing he could do – he encouraged himself in the Lord his God (v6). It’s not like David could sit down and talk things over with one of his friends. They all wanted to stone him. So David got alone with God and received the strength he needed to make
an amazing comeback.
When life comes crashing down around you, that’s when you have to get alone with God and find strength. When your courage is running low, get alone with God and encourage yourself in the Lord. Tune out the other voices and listen to what God is saying (v8), and then do what He says to do (v9).
The story ends with David recovering everything the enemy had stolen (v19). What has the enemy taken from you? Has he stolen your first love for Jesus? Your boldness as a believer? Your children? Your peace of mind? Your hopes and dreams for the future? Take heart. This story reminds us that God restores stolen property.
So encourage yourself in the Lord, even when all seems lost. God is able to turn situations around for our good and His glory!
Pastor Todd