https://youtu.be/FBTh1GTHCNQ




Intro story-encouraging myself in the Lord



I was distraught



The only thing I could do to get through it was to seek God diligently



Knowing that even though I was going through this for a long period of time, God still heard my praise



He heard my prayers



He was with me while I fasted



Saw my tears and eventually they were wiped away



I had to encourage myself in the Lord



He is what got me through



I even came out on the other side as a better pastor and leader



1 Samuel 30:1-6 kjv



30 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And 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 for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.



Heres the biblical context of whats happening



David had recently been told he would be king



Because of this David had to flee from king saul because he wanted David killed



David at this time was living in Ziklag



He aligned himself with the philistines



The philistines were preparing to go to battle with king saul



David and his men were going to join them in battle



But they didn’t fully trust David because he could turn on them



David and his men went back to ziklag



Only to find that the entire city was attacked and burned down



Everything they had was now gone including the women and children



Now all of the people that had been with David this whole time began to turn on him



They grumbled and talked about killing him



David lost everything, his wives, his home, and his men turned on him



But David knows where his strength comes from



1 Samuel 30:6



And 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 for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.



In his times of trouble David did what he knows works



He encouraged himself in the Lord



Knowing that he would find his comfort in God



He knew with God he would be able to go through any problem he was facing



We must remember while reading the bible that these people really existed



They were normal people like us



Not super heroes



It gives me comfort to know God chooses broken people to show His glory



They all saw defeats and victories



Lets look at some of the writings from psalm to see how David sought the Lord



While being pursued by Saul, David wrote



Psalm 59:1-4



Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;[b]Defend me from those who rise up against me.



2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,And save me from bloodthirsty men.



3 For look, they lie in wait for my life;The mighty gather against me,Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine.



Awake to help me, and behold!



We see here that even though faced with death, David still put his trust in God



Psalm 59:16-17



16 But I will sing of Your power;Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;For You have been my defenseAnd refuge in the day of my trouble.17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;For God is my defense,My God of mercy.



David continuously praised God for what He has done and will do