Strengthen Yourself In the Lord

1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

6 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.

Finding Weakness

We all Will find ourselves at some point in our lives in weakness. In times of trouble, in times of difficulty. The way life is . There are times when we may even be the reason of the trouble. Other times it can be because of other people. or just the reality of life brings difficulty.

There are also weaknesses that we have because we are not Perfect. Whether it is weaknesses in character or difficulties we go through, they will present themselves in our lives.

We could no doubt think of Job and his great trial and affliction. In a matter of Days, his wealth, his family, his health, almost everything he has is stripped away from him. So much is his grief that he Said:

Job 3:1–7 NKJV

1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job spoke, and said: 3 “May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’ 4 May that day be darkness; May God above not seek it, Nor the light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it; May a cloud settle on it; May the blackness of the day terrify it. 6 As for that night, may darkness seize it; May it not rejoice among the days of the year, May it not come into the number of the months. 7 Oh, may that night be barren! May no joyful shout come into it!

Paul on his Road to Damascus

or later on when he is Stoned outside of Lystra. Or Going on to Shipwreck at Malta.

Turning The Wrong Way

1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

6 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.

SO what do we do when we find ourselves to be in difficult situations or when we are weak.

We turn to

Building up Strength In God

1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

6 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.

So How are we to be Strong when we find ourselves in weakness or trouble?

When we have turned to the wrong things for strength, and it doesnt work, we can feel like there is no hope.

Spurgeon Said

I, the preacher of this hour, beg to bear my little witness that the worst days I have ever had have turned out to be my best days, and when God has seemed most cruel to me he has then been most kind. If there is anything in this world for which I would bless him more than for anything else it is for pain and affliction. I am sure that in these things the richest, tenderest love has been manifested towards me. I pray you, dear friends, if you are at this time very low, and greatly distressed, encourage yourselves in the abundant faithfulness of the God who hides himself. Our Father’s wagons rumble most heavily when they are bringing us the richest freight of the bullion of his grace. Love letters from heaven are often sent in black-edged envelopes. The cloud that is black with horror is big with mercy. We may not ask for trouble, but if we were wise we should look upon it as the shadow of an unusually great blessing. Dread the calm, it is often treacherous, and beneath its wing the pestilence is lurking. Fear not the storm, it brings healing in its wings, and when Jesus is with you in the vessel the tempest only hastens the ship to its desired haven. Blessed be the Lord, whose way is in the whirlwind, and who makes the clouds to be the dust of his feet. May some such thoughts as these help you to encourage yourself in God as David did.

https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/ziklag-or-david-encouraging-himself-in-god/#flipbook/

It is a conscious effort to Strengthen ourselves in God, yes God can and will be working behind the scenes. No doubt all of us are alive today because He is, but this passage says that strengthening ourselves. God says I want you to strengthen yourself in me.

1 There is no strengthening ourselves in God if we are not right with him. It speaks of the middle of battle, when we are weary. You are strengthened by your ally not your foe. Jacob learned the most important lesson of his life, while he was fighting with God he could no longer stand on his own. God was too Strong for Him.

Genesis 32:23–30 NKJV

23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” 27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Your Strength is no match for God. He is Sovereign. Who can tell God What to do?

Hebrews 11:21 NKJV

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

From Peniel where he was humbled by God, he had been leaning on that Staff ever since. That staff speaks of Christ, speaks of Faith, of Help, of Reinforcement. Some of us need to lean on that great Staff whose yoke is easy, Jesus says Lean on ME.

2 Paul Knew that God was going to be his Salvation. and In knowing that Paul Strengthened himself in the Lord. We must all learn to Believe God.

Acts 27:13–16 NKJV

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.

Paul a prisoner has appealed to Ceaser, now is on a ship in bonds. The ship set sail but ran into grave trouble on trecherous seas. Euroclydon the opposition to Pauls destination is a picture of the Evil that will keep us from our Destination Heaven. The entire Crew was losing hope and fear began to take hold.

Acts 27:21–25 NKJV

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.

Paul Heard from God, but it speaks of him Praying and Having a relationship with God. We desperately need God to speak to us, and that is the real lesson in life. My words can reveal my heart, but Gods words can Save Souls. Strengthening ourselves is about Listening To God. When the Wind and Tempestuous Storms of evil and life come we must look to God for Direction. As a Pastor, there is only so much that I can do. I can pray, and encourage, and lift up and edify, contend, but the best thing I can do for People is to show them that GOD can help them. I must teach and lead them to Jesus the one who can really help us.

Acts 27:31–36 NKJV

31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. 33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.

God Told Paul that they would survive and all Paul did was Believe. We must believe God when he does direct us, we must be obedient to what God wants us to do. Unless these men Stay in the ship, they cannot be saved. We must listen to God and Believe Him.

Psalm 119:25–28 NKJV

25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

Here David is revealing how we was able to overcome. yes he learned some difficult lessons, and learned how to pray and lean on Christ through his checkered life. How is it that God could say of David, A man after my own heart.

The answer is in Gods word. His soul Melts, but He strengthens himself in God according to Gods word. THe bible contains the most important words ever spoken and recorded. Wars have been literally halted because of His word. The downfall of Humanity and really of all creation is stayed because of GOds word. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. How did Jesus Win the victory through temptation and his trials, Leaning on God, Praying and Believing , and Using the Sword of the Spirit. Strength is found in His Word.

No We are not supposed to just sit around and God will do everything for us. God wants us to strengthen ourselves in Him. If we learn to Lean on Christ 24/7, Pray and believe, and Read Gods word and use his WOrd in SPiritual Warfare we will all be strenghtened in the Lord. He is the Strong Tower, HE has the victory. WE must learn to find where God lives, in prayer, his word and Relationship with him. When we do this, We will be strengthening ourselves in the lord, and one day he will say, well done good and faithful Servant.