Dig Deep

There are times when we get overwhelmed. Life has us running here, there and everywhere. We have children with activities, we have our own activities, work, church and if you’re fortunate you may even have some leisure activities. We’re trying to get or stay in shape as we fight against time and aging bodies, that want to do their own thing despite our best efforts and just when we feel like we can’t take anymore, life hits us with something else and we feel like we won’t make it out of that situation.

We feel lost and distraught and in despair and like there’s nothing else we can do, and that’s the time when we have to dig deep. That’s the title of today’s message, “Dig Deep”.

In our Scripture text, David and his men had been away from the city fighting, and upon their return they find the city had been raided by the Amalekites. It’s important to note these are the very same people God told Saul, “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” But Saul was disobedient, thinking he knew better than God…and now here they are again rising up causing problems for God’s people.

So not only did they raid the city, they burned it down, they took the women and children captive, they didn’t kill them, but they did kidnap them.

Perhaps this was payback for all the havoc David was reeking in the Amalekites’ county and now while all the men were away, leaving the city defenseless, the Amalekites came for their revenge. Just when you think you’re alright, the thing you didn’t complete will come and smack you in the face.

So not only did they raid the city, they burned it down, they took the women and children captive, they didn’t kill them, but they did kidnap them. Perhaps this was payback for all the havoc David was reeking in the Amalekites’ county and now while all the men were away, leaving the city defenseless, the Amalekites came for their revenge. Just when you think you’re alright, the thing you didn’t complete will come and smack you in the face.

David and his men had been tearing up some stuff, they were essentially a band of marauders, killing and plundering other people’s stuff and when you do that to others, well you should probably expect some payback at some point in time and here it was.

Now I feel pretty safe in saying you’re probably not out pillaging other people’s stuff, killing people, and raiding other people’s homes, at least I hope not…but we all have something we’re doing that God is not pleased with. What are you doing with your words? Are you assassinating another’s character with your words? Gayle King is coming under fire for bringing up something about Kobe Bryant that has long been laid to rest. Assassinating character.

To speak ill of, to speak lies about, to speak of things repented for, forgiven by those who need to forgive and to continue to spread gossip are all ways of killing a persons character. James says, “The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” Oh be careful little tongue what you say. Yours may be something else. Even if you don’t name it, God already knows what it is.

Even if you don’t name it, God already knows what it is. We must know we can’t always just expect that God is going to take care of things at home while we’re off doing something else. We’re called to take care of home first, then go out and minister and work and help others—after you take care of home.

David was off fighting for another man, leaving his the people he should’ve been protecting uncovered. We must know we can’t always just expect that God is going to take care of things at home while we’re off doing something else. We’re called to take care of home first, then go out and minister and work and help others—after you take care of home.

So as David and his men are making this three-day journey home, thinking about how good it’s going to be to see their wives and children, sleep in their own beds, eat some good food, you know celebrate the men being home...

To speak ill of, to speak lies about, to speak of things repented for, forgiven by those who need to forgive and to continue to spread gossip are all ways of killing a person’s character. James says, “The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” Oh be careful little tongue what you say. Yours may be something else. Even if you don’t name it, God already knows what it is.

When they get there it was not at all what they expected to see. They’re tired from their journey and what they see when they get home, devastates them. The scene causes all of them to weep. These men of war cried, they cried until they had no more tears…including David; after all he was affected too. Being in leadership, doesn’t make you immune to the troubles and problems that will come, in fact, being in leadership puts you front and center, the first to be hit when something happens.

David was off fighting for another man, leaving the people he should’ve been protecting uncovered. We must know we can’t always just expect that God is going to take care of things at home while we’re off doing something else. We’re called to take care of home first, then go out and minister and work and help others—after you take care of home.

At this point they don’t know what has happened to them, whether they’re dead or alive

The men return to find their homes have literally gone up in smoke, the whole town is burned to the ground and their families are gone. At this point they don’t know what has happened to them, whether they’re dead or alive, have they been taken into slavery or sold.

So as David and his men are making this three-day journey home, thinking about how good it’s going to be to see their wives and children, sleep in their own beds, eat some good food, you know celebrate being home...

The men are upset and when people get upset about a situation they look for someone to blame, it’s part of the first stage of grief, anger. You’ve suffered a loss and it’s somebody’s fault, sometimes people will even blame themselves. And so, this man they had pledge their lives to follow and fight for and with have now turned on him; they now want to stone him, they want to kill him too. They have no other plan pass taking out the man of God. This very thing only adds insult to the injury David has already suffered.

There will be times in your life when you go through something and despite the fact it’s happening to you too, there are people who will want to blame you. There are times when you will be at your wits end, you don’t know whether to go left or right, up or down; it’s then when you will have to dig deep within yourself and find strength and direction and courage and the will to keep moving forward. Can you say like David, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”? When you’re at your wits end, do you still have faith? Do you still trust God? He hasn’t changed—have you?

When they get there, it was not at all what they expected to see. They’re tired from their journey and what they see when they get home, devastates them. The scene causes all of them to weep. These men of war cried, they cried until they had no more tears…including David; after all he was affected too. Being in leadership, doesn’t make you immune to the troubles and problems that will come, in fact, being in leadership puts you front and center, the first to be hit when something happens.

There will be times in your life when you go through something and despite the fact it’s happening to you too, there are people who will want to blame you. There are times when you will be at your wits end, you don’t know whether to go left or right, up or down; it’s then when you will have to dig deep within yourself and find strength and direction and courage and the will to keep moving forward. Can you say like David, “What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.”? When you’re at your wits end, do you still have faith?

The men return to find their homes have literally gone up in smoke, the whole town is burned to the ground and their families are gone. At this point they don’t know what has happened to them, whether they’re dead or alive, have they been taken into slavery or sold.

The Scripture says, “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” the King James says it this way, “but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Sometimes you will have to encourage yourself, sometimes you have to speak victory during the test, don’t wait till the battle is over, shout now. Sometimes you gotta dig deep, but here’s the thing…when you dig deep what are you going to find?

The men are upset and when people get upset about a situation they look for someone to blame, it’s part of the first stage of grief, anger. You’ve suffered a loss and it’s somebody’s fault, sometimes people will even blame themselves. And so, this man they had pledge their lives to follow and fight for and with have now turned on him; they now want to stone him, they want to kill him too. They have no other plan past taking out the man of God. This very thing only adds insult to the injury David has already suffered.

Will you be empty, have nothing to draw that will lift you up, that will encourage you, that will spur you on to greatness? When the test and trials become overwhelming, what do you have in your well? When you dig deep, what are you coming up with? Does it

There will be times in your life when you go through something and despite the fact it’s happening to you too, there are people who will want to blame you. There are times when you will be at your wits end, you don’t know whether to go left or right, up or down; it’s then when you will have to dig deep within yourself and find strength and direction and courage and the will to keep moving forward. Can you say like David, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”? When you’re at your wits end, do you still have faith? Do you still trust God? He hasn’t changed—have you?

what are you coming up with?

encourage you or discourage you?

does it give you joy or cause you grief

does it make your heart alive with hope or throw you into a state of despair

does it enlighten you or take you to a dark place

What do you get when you dig deep? Can you rest in the knowledge and assurance of God

that he can and will bring light out of darkness

peace out of trouble and

light out of darkness

peace out of trouble and

good out of evil

David encouraged himself by turning to his Source of strength. Where do you turn when things are going every way but the right way? When people want to blame you for failure?

David called for the ephod and asked God what he should do. David cried like everyone else after learning his family was gone, but he got himself together and sought the Lord. You may be down for a moment, but you have to know you can and must go to God for guidance. The ephod was their way of communicating with God, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us, leading us and telling us when and where to go and what to do when we get there.

David asked God, “Shall I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them?” David wanted to know, was this thing going to work? Perhaps if he had asked before he wouldn’t be where he is now. But here’s the thing, if you find yourself in a situation where you failed to consult the Lord for direction and now you’re in a mess, you can still ask God for help and he is faithful and just to deliver you out of all your troubles.

Praise God! Not just when you’re good…but even when you’re not, all you have to do is ask. You need only ask and God will come to your rescue every time,

even when you neglect your duties,

even when you forget to pray every day,

even when you’re not faithful to Him—he’s faithful to you

Anybody excited about a faithful God?

David received his answer— “Pursue” not only did God say go after them, he gave him some extra news that no doubt energized him to go even though he was tired from the three-day trip he had just taken to get home to this mess.

God told David he would, “surely overtake them” and not only that, without fail he would recover all. God just reassured David his family was alright, now go get ‘em.

David had spent time with God so he had plenty to draw from when he had to dig deep. David knew exactly what to say to to whom to say it…and he did.

David spoke to God and God spoke to David, but you may be saying yeah but God doesn’t talk to me like that. Well He did and you need to know what God said so you can store those words, those affirmations, in your well and when you need it you can dig deep and find what it is God has said to and about you.

here’s some of the things he said

So here’s some of what God said

The Scripture says, “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” the King James says it this way, “but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Sometimes you will have to encourage yourself, sometimes you have to speak victory during the test, don’t wait till the battle is over, shout now. Sometimes you gotta dig deep, but here’s the thing…when you dig deep what are you going to find?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14)

Will you be empty, have nothing to draw that will lift you up, that will encourage you, that will spur you on to greatness? When the test and trials become overwhelming, what do you have in your well? When you dig deep, what are you coming up with? Does it

I am Your workmanship (). I am near to You by the blood of Christ (). I am a new creation (). I am of Your household (). I am a citizen of heaven (). I am a partaker of Your promises in Christ (). I am strengthened with might by Your Spirit (). I allow Christ to dwell in my heart by faith

You are his workmanship ().

You are near to God by the blood of Christ ().

• encourage you or discourage you?

You are a new creation ().

You are a citizen of heaven ().

You are a partaker of God’s promises in Christ ().

You see to stand strong in the Lord, and have something to pull from when you dig deep, you must first plant some things, you have to water them, and nurture them and feed them, and pull the weeds that may come to try to choke out what you plant. When you spend time with God in prayer and meditation, and reading His Word, when life happens and you dig deep you’ll find out:

I am blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (). I am chosen by You, my Father (). I am holy and without blame (). I am Your child according to the good pleasure of Your will (). I am accepted in the Beloved (). I am redeemed through the blood of Jesus (). I am a person of wisdom and prudence (). I am an heir

You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ ().

You are chosen by God, the Father ().

You are holy and without blame ().

You are accepted in the Beloved ().

You have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus ().

You are a person of wisdom and prudence ().

You are an an heir

You have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ ().

You are saved by God’s grace ().

• does it give you joy or cause you grief

You are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ().

See, when you know those things, you can face any trial, tribulation or trouble and you can do it with honor, grace and love. When you plant and have to dig deep you’ll find out…

You can speak the truth in love ().

You’re renewed in the spirit of your mind ().—you won’t have the same thoughts you used to have

You’ll find that you are a follower of Christ, not just in word but in deed also () — you not only talk the talk you walk the walk and as you walk...

You’ll walk in love ().

You’ll remember that there is light in You ().

You are filled with the Spirit ().

You are more than a conqueror (). You are an overcomer ().

When you dig deep you’ll find out

you can go even when you’re exhausted

Copeland, Germaine. Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative (pp. 109-110). Harrison House LLC. Kindle Edition.

you can get back what God gave you

not everyone will, nor can they go with you

and you know if God be for you, He’s more than the whole world against you

When you plant, and Satan launches an attack, when you dig deep, you know there’s wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. The trials are only to test you faith, to see whether it is strong and pure. It’s being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it — and your faith is far more precious to the, Lord, than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of Jesus’ return.

You are a new creation ().

If your faith remains strong, when the time comes you will hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

You are a citizen of heaven (). I am a partaker of Your promises in Christ (). I am strengthened with might by Your Spirit (). I allow Christ to dwell in my heart by faith (Eph.

But you

have to be prepared to dig deep,

you have to know where your help comes from,

you have to know who’s side your on,

you have to know who you’re following

you have to know, where you’re going

you have to know, God loves you

you have to know, you’re worth every thing God gave for you

You have to know Jesus died for your sins and there’s nothing you’ve done God can’t or won’t forgive, you need only ask

You have to know trial, troubles and tribulation will come—get ready, plant; so when the time comes you can dig deep and pull what you need, for whatever it is you need to face and overcome. After all we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.

Copeland, Germaine. Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative (p. 109). Harrison House LLC. Kindle Edition.

There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. These trials are only to test my faith, to see whether it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it — and my faith is far more precious to You, Lord, than mere gold; so if my faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of

Dig deep to find out who you really are.

Copeland, Germaine. Prayers That Avail Much Commemorative (p. 108). Harrison House LLC. Kindle Edition.

David and his men pursued the Amalekites, they found them through someone they had left for dead, and they got back every thing that had taken…all their wives, their children, the flocks, the herds and the spoils. When you know the Lord, when you follow him, when you strive, don’t worry about what you think you’ve lost; God can restore that and give you more.

There’s a saying that goes, “don’t cry over spilt milk”, I would add, “just clean it up and pour yourself another glass”. Dig deep, find your strength and do what God has called you to do. It may not be easy, it may not be fun, but the reward, the reward, will be great.

The doors of the church are open

• does it make your heart alive with hope or throw you into a state of despair

• does it enlighten you or take you to a dark place

What do you get when you dig deep? Can you rest in the knowledge and assurance of God? Do you believe

• that he can and will bring light out of darkness

• peace out of trouble and

• good out of evil

David encouraged himself by turning to his Source of strength. Where do you turn when things are going every way but the right way? When people want to blame you for failure?

David called for the ephod and asked God what he should do. David cried like everyone else after learning his family was gone, but he got himself together and sought the Lord. You may be down for a moment, but you have to know you can and must go to God for guidance. The ephod was their way of communicating with God, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us, leading us and telling us when and where to go and what to do when we get there.

David asked God, “Shall I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them?” David wanted to know, was this thing going to work? Perhaps if he had asked before he wouldn’t be where he is now. But here’s the thing, if you find yourself in a situation where you failed to consult the Lord for direction and now you’re in a mess, you can still ask God for help and he is faithful and just to deliver you out of all your troubles.

Praise God! Not just when you’re good…but even when you’re not, all you have to do is ask. You need only ask and God will come to your rescue every time,

• even when you neglect your duties,

• even when you forget to pray every day,

• even when you’re not faithful to Him—he’s faithful to you

Anybody excited about a faithful God?

David received his answer— “Pursue” not only did God say go after them, he gave him some extra news that no doubt energized him to go even though he was tired from the three-day trip he had just taken to get home to this mess.

God told David he would, “surely overtake them” and not only that, without fail he would recover all. God just reassured David his family was alright, now go get ‘em.

David had spent time with God, so he had plenty to draw from when he had to dig deep. David knew exactly what to say, and to whom to say it…and he did.

David spoke to God and God spoke to David, now you may be saying yeah but God doesn’t talk to me like that. Well He did and you need to know what God said so you can store those words, those affirmations, in your well and when you need it you can dig deep and find what it is God has said to and about you.

So here’s some of what God said

• You are fearfully and wonderfully made ()

• You are his workmanship ().

• You are near to God by the blood of Christ ().

• You are a new creation ().

• You are a citizen of heaven ().

• You are a partaker of God’s promises in Christ ().

You see to stand strong in the Lord, and have something to pull from when you dig deep, you must first plant some things, you have to water them, and nurture them and feed them, and pull the weeds that may come to try to choke out what you’ve planted. When you spend time with God in prayer and meditation, and reading His Word, when life happens, and you dig deep you’ll find out:

• You are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ ().

• You are chosen by God, the Father ().

• You are holy and without blame ().

• You are accepted in the Beloved ().

• You have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus ().

• You are a person of wisdom and prudence ().

• You are an heir

• You have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ ().

• You are saved by God’s grace ().

• You are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ().

See, when you know those things, you can face any trial, tribulation or trouble and you can do it with honor, grace and love. When you plant and have to dig deep you’ll find out…

• You can speak the truth in love ().

• You’re renewed in the spirit of your mind ().—you won’t have the same thoughts you used to have

• You’ll find that you are a follower of Christ, not just in word but in deed also () — you not only talk the talk you walk the walk, and as you walk...

• You’ll walk in love ().

• You’ll remember that there is light in You ().

• You are filled with the Spirit ().

• You are more than a conqueror (). You are an overcomer ().

When you dig deep you’ll find out

• you can go even when you’re exhausted

• you can get back what God gave you

• not everyone will, nor can they go with you

• and you will know if God be for you, He’s more than the whole world against you

When you plant, and Satan launches an attack, you can dig deep, and know there’s wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. The trials are only to test your faith, to see whether it’s strong and pure. It’s being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it — and your faith is far more precious to the Lord, than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of Jesus’ return.

If your faith remains strong, when the time comes you will hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

But you

• have to be prepared to dig deep,

• you have to know where your help comes from,

• you have to know who’s side you’re on,

• you have to know who you’re following

• you have to know, where you’re going

• you have to know, God loves you

• you have to know, you’re worth everything God gave for you

• You have to know Jesus died for your sins and there’s nothing you’ve done God can’t or won’t forgive, you need only ask

• You have to know trial, troubles and tribulation will come—get ready, plant; so when the time comes you can dig deep and pull what you need, for whatever it is you need to face and overcome. After all we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.

Dig deep to find out who you really are.

David and his men pursued the Amalekites, they found them through someone they had left for dead, and they got back everything that had been taken…all their wives, their children, the flocks, the herds and the spoils. When you know the Lord, when you follow him, when you strive, don’t worry about what you think you’ve lost; God can restore that and give you more.

There’s a saying that goes, “don’t cry over spilt milk”, I would add, “just clean it up and pour yourself another glass”. Dig deep, find your strength and do what God has called you to do. It may not be easy, it may not be fun, but the reward; the reward, will be great.

The doors of the church are open

Dig Deep

7 David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue; for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.