“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
There are times and moments in life when all of a sudden, the blast of some unwanted and unanticipated circumstance arises, sometimes bordering on it destroying us. Such was the case of David, when away with his men of war, the city where the women and children had been left behind, was attacked by David’s enemies. They pillaged the town, and took hostage the inhabitants. When David, with his men returned, they found that the city had been burned with fire, and was desolate. The full brunt of the storm had come for them all, they had apparently lost all, and everyone dear to them. The result was understandably radical, as David’s men placed all of the blame on him, and spoke of stoning him to death. What will this man do in the face of such loss, and peril? Scripture does not tell us how much time passed after being faced with the tragedy, but that which Scripture makes very plain is that David will distinguish himself among all his men by one particular thing: “…(he) encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” What does this mean?
First of all, it means that he remembers the Lord, and how the Lord had called him, proving to him over and over again that He was with him and providing for him. Secondly, he remembered that, in the past, when he sought the Lord, he found Him. He was never far away, but sometimes in the acuteness of the difficult circumstance, He was waiting to be sought in a very specific and deliberate way. This David did. The practical solution to this impossible situation was found basically in one act, and it was not that of just remaining stagnant, and stationary, but rising up to seek the Lord. David KNEW that God would meet him. The question was, “How?” And so, that which David wants, and needs to know, is basically, “…what do You want me to do?” His question to the Lord was specifically: “Shall I pursue after this troop?” Then, “Shall I overtake them?” (v.8) To the specific question, inquiry, and point of seeking God, the Lord would simply respond: “Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” (v.8) That was all that David needed, to see the hand of God working in his behalf, as he and his men rose up to pursue their enemies.
One thing more needs to be said about David encouraging himself in the Lord. The choice to do this came at a time of great need, and danger. David’s men were on the point of stoning him, putting the blame upon him for their terrible loss, not seeing how the situation could be remedied. It is in times like these that David had learned the necessity of being quiet. Remember that he penned the great, comforting words in Psalm 23, “…He leadeth me beside STILL waters.” This matter of such great necessity was so clearly written in the book of Isaiah, “…In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (30:15) David, in the storm of opposition, and heated resentment, not knowing exactly what he should do, in some way did as the Lord Jesus did, when He was being assailed by His enemies who sought to accuse Him. Jesus bent down and wrote in the sand, not saying anything. It is only afterwards that He rose and spoke the exact word that was needed for His accusers, a word of conviction that caused them to disburse and leave. That which occured for Him similarly occured for David. Both men received from the Father the exact authoritative word, in the quietness, that they needed to hear. In the case of Christ, it was a word for someone else. For David, it was a word to be wholeheartedly acted upon.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to encourage ourselves in Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.