Strengthen Yourself in the Lord
NEHEMIAH WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE
Have you ever faced a personal tragedy or a business loss that led you into great distress and even depression?
Are you going through one right now?
How do you strengthen yourself in the Lord?
Where do you go when you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life and business?
| Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters.n But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. – 2 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) |
Strengthen Yourself in the Lord
In 1 Samuel 30, David, who would soon become the second king of Israel, was faced with a personal tragedy that almost led to his personal army turning against him. He has just been sent away by the leaders of the Philistines, with whom he had previously been given shelter and safe haven (1 Samuel 29). As he returned to Ziklag, where his family, the families of his personal army, and their entire provision were based, he discovered that the Amalekites had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and taken their family members including David’s two wives as captives (1 Samuel 30:1-3). David and his men were in great distress, and furthermore, his own men spoke of stoning him because they were so grieved (1 Samuel 30:5). But David did not take the matter into his own hands, or react emotionally impulsively. He responded by strengthening himself in the Lord.
To strengthen yourself in the Lord is to find strength in God’s presence, His word, and His promises. There will always be times in life when everyone seems to turn against you and there seems to be no one or nowhere to turn to but to the Lord. When everything seems to fall apart, find strength in the Lord. Allow His presence, His word, and His promises to revive your soul and spirit. Meditate upon His goodness, mercy, power, and faithfulness.
What challenges are you facing today? Consider the following scriptures as you encourage yourself in the Lord today.
| I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121 (NIV) |
| The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23 (NIV) |
| Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. – Proverbs 3:5-12 (NIV) |
My prayer for you today is that you will cast all your cares upon the Lord and learn how to strengthen yourself in Him as David did by pressing into God’s presence, Word, and promises, so that you may continue to carry out the call that He has for you in the marketplace. Amen.
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