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October Devotional

David and his mighty men were trouncing around the countryside ... fighting battles ... trying to hear and obey God's voice ... and had left their wives and children at home in Ziklag.

The Amalekites, some of David's most ferocious enemies, attacked Ziklag while David and his men were gone. They burned the entire village and then kidnapped all of the women and children! The nerve of those enemies!!

When David and his men returned to home, only desiring peace and the comfort of home, they discovered a charred, empty village. The Bible tells us that "David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep." (I Samuel 30: 4) David and his men of strength and valor, who were known for their deeds of courage and daring, were finally facing a giant that had brought them to their knees.

When David thought that his life could not possibly be any worse than this, his men decided to stone him! They were embittered against David because of what they had lost and their plan was to kill this man who was a leader of leaders!

The most incredible turn takes place at this point in the story ... David made a decision that would forever change his destiny and opened the heavenly door to the possibility of restoration.

"David strengthened himself in the Lord his God!" (I Samuel 30:6)

David didn't retaliate ... he didn't embrace anger ... he didn't sit around feeling sorry for himself. David encouraged himself in the Lord! What a powerful example of what to do when life is at its very worst!

When was the last time that you encouraged yourself in the Lord? Perhaps today you need to lay everything else aside and just spend time with your Bible ... with worship music ... and on your face in the presence of the King! I can guarantee you that you will be strengthened in the Lord and that you will turn your situation around as well! You will be opening the heavenly door to the possibility of restoration in your life.

Oh! You want to know what happened next?! Go get your Bible ... read I Samuel 30: 1- 20. You just might find yourself encouraged in the Lord!