Strength Amid Discouragement

In the pages of Scripture, even the most godly people periodically grapple with discouragement. Circumstances inevitably lead to feelings of hurt, loneliness and dejection. God’s people are not immune to these kinds of bitter feelings, but what godly people provide is an example of what to do when we find ourselves in such dark times. In 1 Samuel 30 we read of David being personally opposed, betrayed and alone, with “everyone” turning against him. There were even rumblings among his so-called companions of secretly taking his life.

David was obviously distressed and plagued with discouragement. David’s godly response is described with a beautiful simplicity. The Bible says that “David found strength in the Lord his God” (v.6). He did what we should all do in our times of discouragement – he sought God. He spent time with the Lord, seeking his perspective and his direction. In the verses that follow, we find that God was faithful to provide it.

David didn’t choose to wallow in his pain, he discovered the next steps that God would have him take and he pursued God’s will with courage and determination. He gave himself to doing what was right, even amid his personal pain, and God not only consoled his heart but he changed his circumstances. May you find strength in the Lord to do what is right the next time your heart is discouraged.