Good day
I believe God wants you to know this day that strength is available to you!
1 Samuel 30:1-6
Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep ... 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. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
I don't know if you've faced a similar challenge my friend, where your home has been burnt down, your spouse and children taken captive and then the blame was placed on you and people wanted you dead because of it ... I'm not sure how we would've reacted if we were in a situation like the one David was faced with - and I pray we never have to face any of that!
The part that stands out for me, and one which I believe the Holy Spirit wants to highlight for us today is that David's reaction was to strengthen himself in the Lord ... and if you read 1 Samuel 30 further it says that they went after the Amalekites and recovered everything ... But imagine what would've happened if David didn't strengthen himself in the Lord - they probably wouldn't have recovered everything, they probably would've lost their wives and children and David would probably have been killed given that the people spoke of stoning him. Can we see what a difference it makes when we choose to respond the right way, that when we have setbacks or face challenges that there must come a time when we choose to turn towards God, draw near to Him, spend time in His presence and find wisdom and strength.
David was accustomed to this. He knew he could always come to God for refuge and strength. It is evident in the below accounts:
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 (David's prayer)
Therefore David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly and said, “Blessed (praised, adored, and thanked) are You, O Lord God of Israel (Jacob) our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion and kingdom, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.
Psalm 18:1-2 (A psalm of David)
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 27:14 (A psalm of David)
Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
Psalm 28:7-8 (A psalm of David)
Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.
The Lord is their strength (the strength of His people), and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Psalm 29:11 (A psalm of David)
The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 138:3 (A psalm of David)
On the day I called, You answered me; and You made me bold and confident with [renewed] strength in my life.
This strength that David refers to is available to each and every one of us today - because it comes from the same source which is God - and He hasn't changed or left the scene!
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Isaiah 40:29
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the [gospel] message might be fully proclaimed.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Ephesians 6:10
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
What I believe God wants you to know today, and be encouraged by, is to know that we can draw near to Him and receive strength ... It's available and He is willing!
So let's take a moment to do so right now. Regardless of the setback, challenge or difficulty, Regardless of the stress, fear, worry or anxiety, Regardless of the magnitude of the problem or where it may be (work, family, studies, church, etc.) - all of that is irrelevant when compared to the love, greatness, power and ability of God! ... Let us do what David did and strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God! Let us receive His strength by faith today!
"Heavenly Father, you know the many things I'm faced with right now, you know how challenging it's been and how tired I've been. I just come before you right now to ask for your help and for your strength and I just receive this right now by faith. You want to help me Father and I choose to believe this. I choose to believe that I don't have to face things or go through situations alone because you are there for me! Always by my side! So I thank you for loving me the way you do, for being patient towards me and for always being faithful. I welcome your help right now and just thank you for giving me the strength to stand, the strength to endure, the strength to overcome! I receive your strength, in Jesus Name, Amen!"
You are Strong my friend because His strength is available to you!
I encourage you as well to listen to this song, "I belong to Jesus" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgRxjHLRfw0
I hope you were encouraged by this message today my friend. Always please remember to share this with others as well who may be in need of it.
Amen