The Art and Skill of Self-Encouragement

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
I Samuel 29:1-31:13

"Now 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 daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." I Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

David knew how to "strengthen himself" in the Lord. Another translation says he "encouraged himself". David had learned the art and the skill of self-encouragement.

Very literally EVERYTHING around him had gone wrong. It was a very bad day. Rather than mope in self-pity, David "got hold of God". NOTHING around him could help him any more. So he drew into the Lord and found the needed strength there.

The Scripture does not tell what David actually did. In all likelihood, part of it was PRAYER. He probably SANG to the Lord. I think a major part was that he SPOKE both to God and to HIMSELF. "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" He ministered to his own heart and soul.

There are times when all of us must do this. Is David had not encouraged himself in this story, perhaps he would have not been heard from again. Your future will be affected by your ability to rise up in the midst of chaos, and find strength in the Lord your God.