Learning to Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Oct 15

3 min read

Learning to Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

When David came home to a burned city, with his family taken and his own men talking about stoning him, he had no one to encourage him. So he found his strength in God.

The question for us is this: How do we do the same?

Why You Need to Learn This

Sermons, podcasts, worship songs, and encouraging friends are all gifts from God. But there will be times when none of those are around. In those moments, it matters that you know how to find strength in Him for yourself. Scripture calls us to this:

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith,

praying in the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:20 (NKJV)

Here are six ways David, and the rest of Scripture, show us how.

1. Speak to Your Soul

Don't just listen to your feelings. Speak truth to them.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5 (NKJV)

2. Remember His Faithfulness

When the present looks dark, look back. The God who carried you before will carry you again.

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV)

3. Declare His Word

Say Scripture out loud. Let your ears hear what your heart needs to believe.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

Psalm 18:2 (NKJV)

4. Choose Praise

Praise isn't denial. It's deciding that God is worthy even when life is hard.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually

be in my mouth.

Psalm 34:1 (NKJV)

...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

5. Be Still and Wait on Him

Sometimes finding strength isn't about doing more. It's about getting quiet enough to remember who God is. When there's noise all around you and inside you, stillness is where your perspective comes back.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

6. Seek His Direction

Once David had strengthened himself, he didn't react on emotion. He asked God what to do next, and God answered:

Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.

1 Samuel 30:8 (NKJV)

The End of the Story

David followed God's word, and here's what happened:

So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away... And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all.

1 Samuel 30:18–19 (NKJV)

The recovery didn't start on the battlefield. It started in the moment David turned to God when no one else was with him.

A Word for You This Week

My prayer for you this week is that you won't only receive encouragement from others, but that you'll learn to meet God for yourself. That you learn to strengthen yourself in the Lord. I pray you come out of your quiet time strengthened and sure of your next step.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV)

A Prayer

Lord, teach me to strengthen myself in You. Help me speak truth to my soul, remember Your faithfulness, and praise You even when life is hard. Quiet my heart, renew my strength, and show me my next step. I ask for the ability to just be still in your presence, help me to focus more on you and less on my circumstances. In Jesus' name, amen.

Scriptures to Stand On (NKJV)

Theme	Verse
Strengthening yourself in God	1 Samuel 30:6
Building yourself up	Jude 1:20
Speaking to your soul	Psalm 42:5
God's faithfulness	Lamentations 3:22–23
Declaring His Word	Psalm 18:2
Praise and joy	Psalm 34:1, Nehemiah 8:10
Stillness and waiting	Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 40:31
God's direction	1 Samuel 30:8
Being strong in the Lord	Ephesians 6:10

Which of these six ways will you practice this week?

Share the verse you connected with in the comments and encourage someone else who might need it.

Learning to Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

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