1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV - The Power of Encouragement
The Context
In 1 Samuel 30, David and his men return to Ziklag to find it has been attacked by the Amalekites, and their wives, sons, and daughters have been taken captive. The Amalekites had also burned the city and left it in ruins. David's men were devastated and wept until they had no more power to weep.
The Situation
David's men were bitter and spoke of stoning him because they had lost their families and possessions. David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, and the soul of his men was grieved, and each one mourned his wives and children. (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV)
The Turning Point
But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV) David didn't give up or lose faith in God. Instead, he found strength and encouragement in the Lord.
The Result
David's decision to encourage himself in the Lord had a ripple effect on his men. He inquired of the Lord, whether he should pursue the Amalekites, and the Lord said, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." (1 Samuel 30:8 NKJV)
David and his men pursued the Amalekites, fought against them, and recovered all. They also recovered the wives and children who had been taken captive. David's decision to encourage himself in the Lord led to victory and restoration.
The Lesson
The story of David's response to crisis teaches us the importance of encouraging ourselves in the Lord. When we face difficult situations, we have a choice: we can give up or find strength in God. David's example reminds us that we can choose to encourage ourselves in the Lord, just as he did.
The Application
In times of crisis, we can:
- Encourage ourselves in the Lord, just as David did.
- Seek God's guidance, as David did when he inquired of the Lord.
- Trust in God's promises, just as David did when he pursued the Amalekites.
The Conclusion
1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV reminds us that we have the power to choose how we respond to difficult situations. We can choose to encourage ourselves in the Lord, just as David did. Let us learn from David's example and encourage ourselves in the Lord, no matter what challenges we face.
