Strengthened in the Lord!

David strengthened himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6b, ESV).

In 1 Samuel 30, David and the men following him returned to the city of Ziklag to find it destroyed and burned, with their wives, children, and possessions hauled away into captivity.

David and his men were so distraught that they “had no more strength to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4). Then David’s men began to grumble, saying to one another, “David got us into this mess, let’s stone him” (v. 6).

Families gone, possessions stolen, and soldiers wanting to stone him. A bad day! How did David respond? 

He strengthened himself in the Lord!

If we haven’t already, someday we will find ourselves alone, without resources, and many desiring our demise. That’s life. What will we do — give up, turn to substance abuse, withdraw in pity, blame others, or curse God?

Will we strengthen ourselves in the Lord? But how do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord? What does the Bible teach about this strengthening?

The Hebrew word for “strengthen” has many definitions, all of which give a clue as to gaining strength from God. These descriptions include words and phrases like — firmly in the grasp, making repairs, resisting, resolute, standing firm, and taking hold of God.

What can we find from other passages of Scripture on strengthening ourselves in the Lord?

Humbly Seek God

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).

In every trial, we face a juncture with two opposite directions: humbly seeking God or turning away from Him. David, strengthening himself during this extreme trial, indicates his learned discipline of humility in the presence of God.

Ask God What to Do

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:5-6).

Have we made rash decisions during difficult times that made things worse? Have we thought afterwards, “I should have waited to respond?” Praying, waiting, asking, and patience become essential ingredients of strengthening ourselves in the Lord. 

Don’t Be Defensive, Take the Offensive

In 1 Samuel 30:8, we find David inquiring of the Lord. But then he acted quickly. . .  

David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”

There’s a time to wait and a time to proceed. With wives, children, and possessions captured and led away, it’s not the time for three days of prayer and fasting. And be careful, as catastrophe often causes us to give up.

Let’s take the offensive.

Even lesser situations can be resolved by taking immediate action. The New Testament encourages us to “not let the sun go down on our anger” (Ephesians 4:26), and Paul, after seeing a vision, “… immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia” (Acts 16:10).

David’s tribulation ended well, with all the wives, children, and possessions returned. Strengthening ourselves must be a prepared attitude in our souls and a discipline of our faith, as it’s not “if” but “when” we encounter situations that require God’s help.

And the Apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).