Soap - Strengthened

S: Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:6

O: David found his encampment in Ziklag burned down and all women and children captured by the Amalekites. Almost to be expected, the people reacted in a violent fashion-immediately blaming their leader for being unable to prevent such a tragedy. In the end David proved to be the victor over the Amalekites, taking back everything that was taken from his people.

However, as David faced serious danger in his men acting rashly and upon their emotions, he found peace and composure in reliance upon God-David, described as a man after God's heart was not someone who just turned to God when things were troublesome, but also turned to God in times of joy, sadness, and in all other things-as the Psalms would show how many times David praised and cried out to God.

I also believe that David, without acknowledging that God was ultimately the anchor that would keep him grounded through such a stressful situation would have easily succumbed to a cowardly act of running away-Although, king David had the character of one who always tried to acknowledge that God was Sovereign, so it wouldn't really have been relevant to say that I guess. BUT, the whole picture is that David found his strength in God-without it, the end result could have been drastically altered (in the bad way of course).

What is something I've learned about God's character? That He is the backing of every great man and woman in Scripture. I easily see king David as one of the greatest figures in the OT and I really admire him-but without the Lord's anointing...without God strengthening him, David was just another man who could have gone as badly awry like Saul (who, incidentally, the Lord left).

A: How can I be strengthened in God? These applications all seem to fall on the same plane, but I know that my relationship with God could really stand some more consistency-a daily offering of my life through premeditated prayer and time spent in the Word. Not a feast on Sunday and starvation through the rest of the week.

P: Father, how ridiculous is it that I'm asking you to remind me to feed myself. I'm sorry that I've been such a child lately-You deserve more, not that I could ever give enough, but I know that it would be all or nothing. Forgive me of my laziness, lust, and inability to discipline myself-but would You give me the joy in time spent with You in prayer-that it would never be an obligation, but a joyful mandate; that my soul should recognize the yearning for You and Your presence in my life. Teach me not to just look upon words, but strengthen these weak, fragile spiritual limbs with your words and Spirit. Would you be praised yet again in my life. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria