“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.“
–1SAMUEL 30:6
1SAMUEL tells of a time when David was very much distressed and grieved.
1SAMUEL also reveals one of the believer’s greatest resources: encouraging yourself in the LORD your God.
After David was distressed, the Bible relates what he did about it.
David tried to ascertain the will of God and then do the as God commanded him.
“And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
–1SAMUEL 30:7-8
And David enquired at the Lord, David on this occasion shewed his piety in consulting the Lord to know what he was to do. And God having ordered him to pursue the Amalekites, he recovered all that they had taken away, delivered his wives, and took from them a considerable booty. By these means the evil that befell David turned to his advantage, and to his greater glory; and thus, those who in their troubles make the will of God their rule and guide, never fail to experience His favour and protection.
–Ostervald, British Family Bible NotesHis faith supplied him with inward resources of comfort and energy, and through the seasonable inquiries he made by Urim, he inspired confidence by ordering an immediate pursuit of the plunderers.
—Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary[NOTE: The ephod contained the Urim and the Thummim, which the Israelites were to use to determine God’s will on certain matters. Though modern sources ascribe the Urim and Thummim to “divination,” this is a lie from Satan. “Divination” involves using demonic spirits in an effort to ascertain the future. The Israelites were commanded BY GOD HIMSELF to use the Urim and Thummim to find out God’s thinking on difficult questions.
“And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”
–1SAMUEL 28:6“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
–Proverbs 16:33]
Encourage yourself.
Follow after the example of David so many centuries ago when he was greatly distressed and grieved.
Encourage yourself.
This entire episode should serve to remind believers of a hidden resource in the days and months ahead.
Encourage yourself in the LORD your God.
It is for certain that there won’t be many others offering the end times believer encouragement.
DOES the reader believe that “Encourage yourself” is just another way to say “Keep a positive attitude?”
DOES the reader believe that he is more clever than a book which is thousands of years old?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 10-12, 2019.]
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by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/Image by dougandpetegardening from Pixabay.com/ETPR
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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