The True Source Of Encouragement

Feature 2 – November 2022 — Grace & Truth Magazine

The True Source Of Encouragement

But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
—1 Samuel 30:6 KJV

Some of David’s personal experiences taught him, first-hand, the meaning of discouragement. King Saul, his implacable enemy who would not be appeased or changed, posed an ongoing threat. For his own safety David had fled from his homeland with 600 of his loyal followers, fearing that eventually his life would meet an untimely end. It seemed better to be living outside of Israel among the Philistines, Israel’s ancient enemies (27:1-2). He therefore established friendly relations with them.

All seemed well for a time. Achish, king of Gath, was deceived by David’s scheme and was convinced that David had become obnoxious to his own people (v.12). But circumstances began to change. When Achish led the Philistines and David’s men out to battle against the Israelites, some of the Philistine princes began to question David’s integrity. Although Achish was convinced that David was reliable, others raised the possibility that in battle against Israel he might change sides and forsake the Philistines. The only option for David was to leave the Philistine army and return to his new home in Ziklag in the land of the Philistines (29:3-4,11).

When David reached Ziklag, a fresh problem faced him. During his absence from the city, the Amalekites had invaded the land and set Ziklag on fire. The wives of David and his men, as well as their family members, had been captured and were gone (30:1-3). It was a bitter disappointment! David and the men with him felt utterly drained of everything. They wept until they could weep no more (v.4). As if all of that were not enough, some of the men who had served David faithfully began to blame him for the misfortune and suggested stoning him (v.6). There was a real crisis on hand.

What could David do? He had lost his home in Israel, and now he had also lost his exiled family members. His place among the Philistines no longer seemed as desirable as previously. The men he had trusted implicitly were turning against him. He must have felt very isolated. To whom could he turn? All seemed completely hopeless. The answer given is significant: “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (v.6). He could turn to no other at such a desperate time of need.

For Us
The experiences of men and women in Bible times have been recorded for our benefit, and we are intended to learn from the life of David. There may be times in our lives when everything seems to be against us. Personal problems or family difficulties can overwhelm us. Our health may be causing concern, or there could be matters perplexing us in the workplace or within our local church. On a wider scale, political and moral turmoil prevail around us. Biblical values have all but disappeared, while secular humanism has taken over. Practices which are abhorrent to the holy God and to His believing people have become established in many countries, and our acceptance of such things is being demanded. Many professing Christians have stopped swimming against the tide and have lowered their standards. At times like this, discouragement can set in.

When we are feeling discouraged we must be like David. It is time for us to turn away from all that disappoints and to encourage ourselves in the Lord, as he did. When all else fails, our God does not. He is no disappointment to those who put their trust in Him. The LORD overruled in David’s circumstances, for the hostages were found. Within a short time David was established as king in Israel. Although other trials were encountered, the LORD was with him. If we feel bereft and in despair, let us draw near to the Lord and find our encouragement in Him too.

In this short article we are going to concentrate upon the theme of encouragement. The message is not profound but practical. I trust it will bring encouragement to any who are feeling discouraged at this time. There are three simple reasons to be encouraged.

1. The Lord’s Presence
So many times in Scripture we are reminded of the Lord’s presence with His people. According to Hebrews 13:5, He has promised never to leave or to forsake His people. If we engage in service for Him we are assured, in Matthew 28:20, that He will be with us until the very end of the age. The tasks facing us may seem great, but His presence will be sufficient for every need. How often the Lord’s servants have found great encouragement in this promise. Wondering how they could possibly carry on, they remembered the presence of the Lord. Their strength was renewed, and they were given the grace to continue.

Some of the loveliest words relating to the Lord’s presence with His people are found in Isaiah 43. “Thus saith the LORD … ‘Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee’” (vv.1-2). We should ponder these words carefully from a New Testament perspective. If we have turned from sin and trusted the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we know He has redeemed us by His precious blood. We recognize that He has called us to Himself and knows our names (Jn. 10:3). The sacrifice He made for us demonstrates how greatly He loves us. We are precious in His sight.

Notice in those lovely words from Isaiah 43 that there is no “if” about passing through the deep waters or through the fire. The word used is “when” in both contexts. Following the Lord in an ungodly world is never going to be easy. There may be times when we feel we are passing through deep waters; the sorrows of life can seem more than we can bear. In such experiences there are two specific encouragements. The first is that the Lord will be with us. The second encouragement is He will bring us through the painful experience. Although we may find ourselves out of our depth in those rivers which threaten us with being too great, we are assured that we will not be overwhelmed by the waters. The Lord will provide all the support we need to bring us safely to the other side of the trial.

The other element – “fire” – is also used figuratively. The experience may be likened to being caught up in a fire from which we have to escape. The only way out appears to be “through” the scorching flames which are sure to cause us harm and damage. In such situations the Lord assures His children that they will not be burned, and neither will the flame set fire to their clothing to cause later injury.

When – not if! – such threatening circumstances invade our lives, we must recall the promised presence of the Lord. It is easy to focus our attention upon the greatness of the problems which may either drown us or cause us to be consumed by flames of fire. Instead, we should focus upon the Lord who has assured us that He will be with us at times like this. We must encourage ourselves in Him. The account of Daniel’s three friends (Dan. 3) in the fiery furnace illustrates this promise perfectly. Not only did they emerge unscathed from the flames, but the Lord Himself was with them in the fiery furnace.

2. Promises Of Encouragement
The promises of God are intended to strengthen us. At a time of discouragement in Israel, the prophet Azariah went out to meet Asa, the king, with a message of encouragement. He said, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chr. 15:7). Asa was encouraged by what he heard, and spiritual blessing resulted as the people committed themselves afresh to the LORD.

The New Testament offers similar encouragement to God’s people today. Paul reminded the Corinthians of “victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and then applied the truth to their lives with the following exhortation: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:57–58). It is easy to become weary in the work of God. Servants of the Lord have toiled for a lifetime and hardly seen any fruit for their labors. As strength declines and problems arise, discouragement can set in. The worker may feel “enough is enough” and that the time has come to retire. This promise reminds us true service for the Lord is never “in vain.” The Lord does not ask us to produce results. In fact, knowing that we might become proud, He may not allow us to see any signs of blessing. However, although the Lord does not seek what we regard as success in service, He does look for faithfulness. Are we faithful in the work He has entrusted to us? Let us remember that our labor is not in vain – and let us labor on! We must be steadfast in purpose, not moved from the pathway of service. Also, rather than doing just a little, we ought to abound in His service – finding it a delight.

Work for the Lord will be rewarded – as Asa was told. In a similar message to the Galatians, Paul wrote: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). We must be prepared to wait patiently for the “due season” to arrive. Reaping can only be done when the harvest is ready. This incentive is intended to encourage us. But we must beware of two dangers – weariness and fainting. We must not grow weary in the work, or we may miss the harvest by stopping too soon. Fainting may set in when we have not taken time for nourishment or for rest, so we must “wait upon the Lord” and feed on His Word to prevent us from becoming faint. So many verses encourage us to continue living for the Lord and serving Him. Let us go on, in His strength. Although we do not deserve rewards, our Master is gracious and will reward His servants one day.

3. A Heavenly Home
The New Testament teaches us that true Christians do not belong on earth, but they are pilgrims down here and citizens of heaven (Heb. 11:13; Phil. 3:20). This world is deteriorating in accordance with the teaching of Scripture. The Lord Jesus is the Bridegroom; His Church is the Bride. One day He is going to return from heaven and with an assembling shout call His Bride to meet Him in the air. “So shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Th. 4:17). The Lord Jesus has left us in no doubt with His certain promise, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself” (Jn. 14:3). This has always been the hope of the true believer. We know this world is not our home; we are going to live somewhere far better!

In this article we have been seeking an answer for discouragement. So many things can cast us down at the present time. Distressing experiences, disappointments, and physical infirmities can all add to the burdens of life and cause discouragement. Knowing this, the Lord encourages us to look up and to look on. Heaven will be so different! “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Death, sorrow, crying and pain – all have contributed to cause discouragement. Look up again! When the Lord comes they will be gone for ever!

“David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (1 Sam. 30:6). Dear reader, let us do the same.

O Lord, Thou never-changing One, Our hearts delight to think of Thee; Thy love, eternally the same, Our theme of endless praise shall be.
From every earthly reed we turn, Leaning on Thee to find our rest; And in the knowledge of Thy love Are fully and for ever blest. —G. de Mattos (1636–1696)

By Martin Girard

Ah! my dear Christian reader, what are we? Poor, failing, stumbling creatures; prone, at every turn in our path, to wander into error and evil – prone to forsake the Rock of Ages and lean upon the broken reeds of the world – prone to forsake the fountain of living waters and hew out for ourselves broken cisterns that can hold no water. Truly we have need, deep need, to walk humbly, watchfully and prayerfully before our God – deep need to utter David’s own prayer continually: “Uphold me according to Thy word, that I may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe; and I will have respect unto Thy statutes continually” (Ps. 119:116-117 JND). —Charles H. Mackintosh (The Life And Times Of David)