When I read the Bible, I look for God’s love and I find it in the life stories of its many characters. When I read the Bible looking for evidence of God’s love, I find it manifest to flawed humans who need encouragement and strength, just like the former leper in yesterday’s blog.
Today I would like to introduce you to another one of my Bible friends. His life has had many up’s and down’s. I share quotes from him all the time; he is a shepherd, a song writer, a refugee, a father of wayward children, a husband, an adulterer, a hero, a king and a man who has a heart for God.
His name is David. A man like us with human weaknesses, disappointments and facing tragic circumstances.
“All the men in the army were sad and angry because their sons and daughters were taken as prisoners. The men were talking about killing David with stones. This upset David very much, but he found strength in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 ERV
David’s wife and children had been stolen along with the wives and children of his men. His men were so distraught they were considering killing David because they felt it was “all his fault”. David needed someone to encourage him but there was no one so he encouraged himself.
Maybe that’s how you feel today. Maybe all seems lost. When David had no one else to count on, no one to encourage him, he found strength and courage in the Lord.
If you need to encourage yourself today start with these verses. Look in the mirror and read them to yourself.
“You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. I know how amazing that was! 15 You could see my bones grow as my body took shape, hidden in my mother’s womb. 16 You could see my body grow each passing day. You listed all my parts, and not one of them was missing. 17 Your thoughts are beyond my understanding. They cannot be measured! 18 If I could count them, they would be more than all the grains of sand. But when I finished, I would have just begun” Psalm 139:13-18 ERV
This should put a smile on your face and hope in your heart!
God formed you and He saw to it that nothing was missing in your development. He is still with you promising to never leave you or abandon you! You’re not alone!
After David spent time with the Lord, He was able to encourage his men. They went out and defeat the army that had stolen their families and their goods. They recovered all.
“David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing. They found all the children and old people, all their sons and daughters, and all their valuables. They got back everything the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.” I Samuel 30:18-19 ERV
Let’s learn from David. Take what the Lord has done for us and give hope to others. It’s wonderful to know that we can be used even in our toughest moments!