Encouraging Yourself in the Lord Your God

In a time when he was greatly distressed, David encouraged himself in the Lord. Knowing who God is, what He has done, and what He promises to do, will equip us to do the same.

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1. The condition of David's soul. 

Discouragement can be a natural response to situations or events or people that intersect with my life.  The discouragement that David was experiencing happened before and would happen again in his life. (cp. Ps. 42:5,6).  Discouragement will be common in our life.

It is not wrong to be discouraged over a situation in your life, but realize that God does not want us to "live there."  Discouragement is not to be the normal condition of a Christian's life.

2. The Course of David's response to his discouragement.  "...he encouraged himself..."

David did not simply "wait it out", hoping that everything would change or resolve. He did something about his discouragement, not being content to stay that way.

3. The Content of the source of David's encouragement.  "... he encouraged himself in the Lord his God."

David encouraged himself "in the Lord", and "in the Lord his God".  There was a deliberate meditation on who God is, what He has done, and what He said He would do. (cp. Psalm 34:3-8; 56:8,9;  57:1ff). There was also a deliberate "seeking after" God, 1 Samuel 30:7,8