Finding Strength

Life is very good at testing our resolve. There are times when we feel we are being pushed to breaking point and it is a struggle to carry on. This is true for everyone and does not stop being true when you put your faith in God.

In the Bible, David, who went on to become Israel's greatest king, had to face many battles. There was one occasion before he was king when he nearly lost his own life and this threat came not from the enemies he had been fighting but from those closest to him, who had fought alongside him and who he expected support from:

When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive... David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters (1 Samuel 30v3,6)

David here is affected by this disaster just as his men are and so is going through the same turmoil they are:

David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (1 Samuel 30v4)

David's men are blinded by the pain of their loss to such an extent that they want someone to point the finger at and David is in the firing line, never mind he might be suffering too. He's the one they have been following, it must be his fault they're facing such devastation. 

All of them including David are in so much pain and heartache that it must feel as though their insides are going to burst. They have reached 'The Breaking Point' and have completely spent their emotional reserves. They have nothing left! I'm sure David would've appreciated it if they all showed one another a bit of support at this difficult time. No chance, he's on his own! So, on top of his own distress he has to cope with being isolated and having his closest allies turn against him.

Distress can come suddenly when we are least prepared for it. It can also come with devastating force that completely uses up our emotional reserves in trying to cope. We might feel we've coped reasonably well with pressures thus far but then something happens which shakes us to the core:

- Our job security is taken away

- We experience the loss of a loved one

- We are confronted with the suffering of those close to us

- Those we trusted or thought we knew turn on us or let us down when we could really do with their support. 

Question> What do we do when our distress is so great that it feels like our insides are going to burst and that all strength is leaving us?

9 amazing words sum up the response of David in the Bible:

BUT DAVID FOUND STRENGTH IN THE LORD HIS GOD (1 Samuel 30v6b). 

When we hear a 'BUT' coming from someone it usually means any positives remarks made are about to be followed by one or more negatives. In this episode from David's life we see the opposite take effect; negative after negative after negative is followed by one immeasurable positive springing from this word 'BUT' and leading to all the overwhelming positives that are true in God. Let's glance at these 9 words that changed David's perspective:

BUT DAVID. He goes against the crowd and does not follow the path to despair others around him are heading towards. He turns away from the natural self-pity and inward bitterness arising from such trying circumstances. David turns from inward to Godward when all around are doing the opposite. 

FOUND STRENGTH. True strength to make it through the storm comes from God:

The Lord is my strength and shield (Psalm 28v7);

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46v1)

God is the source of our strength to carry on. Even though we may find a measure of strength from family, friends, doctors or other means of support our example here is David who found strength

IN THE LORD HIS GOD. How does this make the difference? Well, David knew His God and understood simply how to rest in all God is and to worship whom for who He is and what He has done. Recently I have been reading through the Old Testament and in the book of Deuteronomy the nation of Israel is urged at the outset of entering the 'Promised Land' to Remember the Lord their God and what He's done and to honour this in daily living. I leave us to ponder from the book of Deuteronomy how we may find strength as we grow in ever increasing awareness of Him who David knew to be THE LORD OUR GOD:

In Deuteronomy chapters 1-7 THE LORD OUR GOD:

- Increases (1v10)

- Gives (1v21)

- Goes before us (1v30)

- Fights for us (1v30)

- Carries us (1v31)

- Blesses (2v7)

- Watches over our journey (2v7)

- Is with us (2v7)

- Sees that we do not lack (2v7)

- Is near us as we pray (4v7)

- Brings us out of slavery (4v20)

- Is a consuming fire (4v24)

- Is a jealous God (4v31)

- Is a merciful God (4v31)

- Does not forget us (4v31)

- Is God; There's no other (4v35b)

- Has revealed His strength (4v37b)

- Has shown us His glory & majesty (5v24)

- Has chosen us (7v6)

- Is faithful

In Deuteronomy chapter 8 we are to remember that The Lord our God:

- Leads us (8v2)

- Humbles us (8v2,3)

- Tests us (8v2)

- Disciplines us (8v5)

In Deuteronomy chapter 10 we learn more about the Lord our God:

> to Him belong the heavens, highest heaven, earth & everything in it (10v14)

> He sets His affection on us, He loves us and chooses us (10v15)

> He is God of gods, the Lord of lords, The great God, Mighty & Awesome, shows no partiality, accepts no bribes (10v17)

> He defends the fatherless & widow, loves the alien/foreigner/refugee, giving them food & clothing (10v18)

> He is our Praise, He is our God. He has performed great & awesome wonders (10v21)

> He makes us numerous (10v22). Put another way He enlarges us, multiplies us, gives us momentum.

Let us consider all the above and like David FIND STRENGTH IN THE LORD YOUR GOD. 



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