"David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (I Sam. 30:6)
That has always been one of my favorite verses, and in this day and age it is also a much needed message. Encouragement is getting harder to find. More and more Christians are being forced to deal with spiritual and physical problems on their own. It's a shame to say, but in many cases Christians can't go to their families, and they are unable to find a church that really stands for what they claim to believe in. No longer can we depend on having a caring parent or deacon patting our shoulder and telling us that every thing is okay. God has brought us to a place that we will either have faith in Him or crumble. The standards of Christians’ life demand it, there are truly no “in-betweens.”
David was literally facing the end of his prosperity. Every natural reason to live had been taken away, yet David somehow found encouragement. He must have had a vision, a faith in something, but what? It could not be his land. The rich lands and fertile meadows now lay scorched and unable to give him their yield. All the earthly treasures that he possessed could not help. How could his gold be a comfort when it was laying in an enemy's tent? His army, the very men, that he had entrusted his life and kingdom to just few days before, now where in shambles. They, too, were facing losses. Because of those losses, they could not eat, they could not sleep, and they could not be trusted. Even David's family, the very ones he loved most, could not be there in his time of need. His world and all that was in it, had been taken away.
David was at the crossroads. His journey was much like the path that Job had to follow. All the he loved, cherished, and worked for was gone. God had put him in a position where a definite decision had to be made. Once again, David was the small boy watching his father's few sheep. Stealthily, the bear had come down from the forest and terrorized all that he had. He could run or hide. David could cower in some cave. The bear would come eat his fill and leave. Life could go on. But on a hill, a lone young boy decided to fight for that which he had been told to watch over. And now on a street, a lone man had decided to fight and reclaim that which he had been given.
David had one special quality that separated him from his men, the men that lay crying and weeping in the street. He had an undying faith in the God that he served. This was the same quality that led him on a battle field to face a giant. In his own self David had established a belief in his Creator that for centuries has awed the most fervent of believers. David had discovered a well in a dry and thirsty land, a source of hope where fear abounds, David had found life.
His men were still depressed. In their unimaginable pain they conspired to stone their leader. Things must have seemed bleak to an outsider looking in, but God had found one man that was not afraid to believe. Going solely on the faith of David, the nation of Israel was led to fight for what they had lost. Because of that commitment, God restored everything. The Bible records that not one thing that had been taken away was lost. Every single citizen of Israel regained everything they had owned, simply because of the faith of David.
If I could have just a portion of this faith that I have been talking about, things would be so different. I, too, might be able to find encouragement when spirits are low. Perhaps God would use me in a wonderful way. Maybe I could share the news of God's love and salvation to the homeless children of Brazil. I might be the instrument that He uses to bring the message of Christ to the Islam nations, and thereby bring salvation to millions. I might be able to go to a neighbor's house and give a word of encouragement when it is sorely needed. I know that God could, and if I had this faith, perhaps He would. After all, just consider what He did when He found one lone shepherd boy that was not afraid to face a bear. |
