“And David was greatly
distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the
people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David
encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
(1 Samuel 30:6, KJV).
“But David encouraged
himself in the LORD his God.” These are strange words indeed, uttered by David
in response to a harrowing situation he was in with his people wanting to kill
him. Though in great distress David’s faith in the Lord did not fail him, for again
we read, “but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” Imagine the
gravity of David’s situation. The people wanted to murder him… He could have
run away. A man of lesser faith would have. He could have also sought help from
other people, just as Israel has been known to do in seeking aid from other
nations against her enemies. Yet the phrase “but” in today’s text is profound.
For despite his situation, that word “but” is followed by these words of faith,
“…David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” He did not rely in his own
strength, nor in the vain strength of his fellow man, no, he relied upon, or
drew his strength from the Lord in prayer.
