Strengthening yourself in God

Jesus strengthened himself in God (see John 17). David did it. I read between the lines that Paul did it. And everyone who wants to overcome in the Christian life must learn to do it. I believe it is the biggest weakness in modern piety.

"And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6).

What do you suppose David did at Ziklag to strengthen himself in God? Well, he did what his friend Jonathan would have done if he had been available. He had rendered the service on an earlier occasion:

"David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the Wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, 'Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you . . .'" (1 Samuel 23:15-17).

This second instance takes the guesswork out of 1 Samuel 30. It shows Jonathan strengthening David in the Lord by simply reminding him of a few truths: David, my friend, you have a prophecy and a promise over your head. You will be king. Don't let momentary appearances fool you, or momentary affliction derail you. Hang in the story. God is making a beautiful story of your life.

Perhaps it is a little easier when a friend does this for you. But as we will all be alone sometimes, we had better learn to do it solo. This is a crucial part of our spiritual armor. Notice the self-girding with "truth" (Ephesians 6:14): David must remind himself, even amidst rumblings of mutiny in Ziklag, that God loves him and has his best interest at heart ("Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand."---Psalm 73:23). It must be a forceful, credible, self-pep talk, full of the knowledge of God, or it will never avail against the negative sensory overload he is encountering.

If we as Christians are doing well only when things are going well, our house will collapse because the storm is inevitable (Matthew 7:27). "If you ain't fine all the time, you ain't fine," to borrow a phrase from my son. Life calls for more than passive faith. We can't keep rolling over to our feelings and fears. It's best to practice now on a daily basis so that we'll have the wherewithal to do it when the Ziklags of your life arrive.

"If you are not firm in the faith, you will not be firm at all" (Isaiah 7:9).

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