What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
King David's life was full of turmoil and danger. He was forced to flee from his own nation's king, Saul, who was envious of him and wanted him dead. David spent 13 years on the run from Saul, despite being innocent. After escaping Saul's pursuit, David found refuge in the land of Israel's enemies, the Philistines, where he became the leader of a group of outcasts. However, his peace was short-lived as the Amalekites raided his base camp in Ziklag and took his wives and children captive. David and his men were devastated and wept until they had no more strength to weep.
Picture the scene. Weeping until they have no more strength to weep.
Sometimes life brings us an overwhelming circumstance that is so far above our ability to handle that we feel like we will collapse under the weight of it.
It’s in this moment of David’s life that the Holy Spirit shows us what to do when we don’t know what to do. Let’s look at 1st Samuel 30:6 It says:
"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 his God."
David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. The King James Version says that David ENCOURAGED himself in the LORD. And that’s how he got through this situation. He encouraged himself in the LORD and the LORD strengthened him.
From there, he springs into action. We’ll talk about how this crisis ends in a moment, but let me ask you: How are you responding to your troubles?
You and I will probably never have to flee from a blood-thirsty dictator or deal with a tribe of fierce raiders taking all that we own. But we will, many times throughout our lives, need to deal with adversity. We will deal with circumstances that are unfavorable to us, things that are working against us and taking us in the opposite direction we want to go. Maybe you’re there right now.
And that’s why I love this verse. Because it gives us a blueprint for what to do when life knocks the wind out of us. David encouraged himself in the Lord. Sometimes, people may encourage us, and that’s great. But much of the time, we need to encourage ourselves—not only through positive thinking, but also by encouraging ourselves in the Lord. Knowing that we have a very present help in time of trouble, we need to remind ourselves that because of Him, no weapon formed against us will prosper. Our God will move heaven and earth on our behalf and will even give His angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways.
This could have been the end of King David’s story. But David encouraged himself in the Lord. And when he did, God moved on his behalf.
David consults with God and then goes after the Amalekites. He not only recovers everything the enemy stole from him and his men, but also captures all their flocks and herds.
So let me exhort you: Whenever you go through trouble, strengthen, and encourage yourself in the Lord. He will give you strength to go through it AND He will bring you out on the other side better than you were before.
What situation do you need to encourage yourself in the Lord about today?
