FIND YOUR STRENGTH IN OUR LORD OUR GOD

FIND YOUR STRENGTH IN OUR LORD OUR GOD!

When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. —I Samuel 30:3-6

            When David and his men return home to Ziklag they found it totally destroyed and all their families were taken captive.  Their wives, sons and daughters were all gone, stolen away.  This was so painful.  “David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”  Not only was that happening but “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him.”  Why were they talking of stoning their leader?  It was because “each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.”  Trauma can cause people to think and act in ways they typically would not think or act. 

            How did David respond to all this?  How do you respond when going through traumatic situations and circumstances?  “David found strength in the Lord his God.”  He looked to the Lord for guidance.  He did not just try to resolve this most difficult situation in His own strength and intellectual capabilities.  No!  He went to the Lord to be strengthened and for guidance.  This is such good advice for us as well.

            If you are going through something traumatic at this present time— find your strength in the Lord our God.  Go to Him for guidance and listen to His voice.  He is ready to help— “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 32:5).  Depend on Him for strength— “The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).  He is there always!  Cry out to Him and do not try to just grind is out in your own strength and ideas.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfiYWaeAcRw

Dear Father I am so grateful to know You are my strength.  I have none of my own.  I thank You for Your guidance as well.  I cannot and do not want to try to figure things on my own.  I need You.  May I listen to You.  May I trust You.  May I follow You by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son.