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My favorite piece of scripture is 1 Samuel 30:6;
"And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD."
The word "strengthen" in Hebrew means to "encourage".
David and his men had just been sent home to Ziklag by the Philistines, who were preparing for battle, only to find that the Amalekites had taken their women and children. With his disappointment came harsh criticism and displeasure from his people, leaving them to contemplate stoning David.
David was in great need of some encouragement.
How many times have all of us felt threatened by life, dismayed with our job to the point of depression or been unfairly treated when in our mind we had the best of intentions to do the right thing? Have you ever believed yourself to be in front of a firing squad? If you're in a leadership position you know exactly what I'm talking about. Have there been times you felt like you were going to be stoned by friend or foe? In each of those circumstances, and many others, we find our self in need of hope and direction; and like David we are in need of encouragement. Often we choose a mate, a friend, or a parent to share with them our misery.
It takes courage to encourage others, and to encourage ourselves.
-Art by William Hemmerling
We communicate our ills with the hope in mind that others will magically take away our pain.
Other times the choice is worse when trying to alleviate our pain. Plenty of us have seen first hand the use of drugs, alcohol or sex to mitigate the suffering and misery one is experiencing.
In every situation, no matter the choice you make while in despair, the reasoning behind the decision is based upon our desire to escape the affliction we're suffering. What we're really in need of is strength and encouragement.
"Wrought by Prayer"
-Art by William Hemmerling
In the end, there is nothing that can give us more hope; greater strength in our time of need, than God's providential hand and sovereign authority. Nothing can strengthen our resolve and encourage our heart more than God, and God alone. The next time you need to be strengthened seek God through His word and prayer, and become encouraged by God's faithfulness to those who put their trust in Him.
Strengthen yourself in the Lord.
Be Encouraged!
sbb 14.6.13
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