Encourage Yourself?

I recall someone saying there are times when you can encourage yourself in the Lord. Well, maybe I remembered that, but I sure didn’t feel like doing it. After being sick for a few weeks, I was more into the ‘please pray for me’ mode. Now there is nothing wrong with asking for prayer or…

Linda Wilson

November 3, 2016

1–2 minutes

Encouragement

A scene near Hampshire England. Credit: Neil Howard/Flickr/Creative Commons — A scene near Hampshire, England. Credit: Neil Howard/Flickr/Creative Commons

I recall someone saying there are times when you can encourage yourself in the Lord. Well, maybe I remembered that, but I sure didn’t feel like doing it.

After being sick for a few weeks, I was more into the ‘please pray for me’ mode.

Now there is nothing wrong with asking for prayer or talking to someone when going through a hard time. But I know there are also times when I just need to go to God.

The Bible says this is what David did when he went through a very discouraging event.

At one time David and his men had returned home to Ziglag, where they found it burned, looted and their wives and children taken away by the Amalekites. Because of this David’s men became embittered against their leader:

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke 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)

Let me emphasize, there was no one to encourage him so he encouraged himself. Another translation, the NIV, says he found strength in the Lord his God.

I imagine David worshiped, prayed or recalled God’s past faithfulness to him. Either way, he was encouraged and received help and direction from the Lord.

This challenges me to do the same when I go through trials: to press in and find my strength and encouragement comes from the Lord.

“Whom do I have in heaven but you and with you I lack nothing.” (Psalm 73:25 CJB)

5 responses to “Encourage Yourself?”

jameswiliamsblog

November 3, 2016 at 9:24 am

While the relationship in the Old Testament of man with God was centered around ~knowing of God~ the relationship in the New one prepares man of a PART TAKE WITH GOD a relationship described as ~knowing God personally~ that it is verified by an ontological transformation that takes place when in the presence of God, an ontological transformation known as being Holy a New Adam, Salvation, or Eternal Life.
Baptism as described in [Galatians 3:27] as delivered by the Apostles, is needed for the Salvation/theosis because it is the Holy Sacrament that delivers what is needed (union with God) because present as ~the Head OF His Body the Church as described in [Α Colossians 1:18] is Lord Jesus (God Logos) as High priest Hebrews 5:5 and Mediator to his Father.

The Law in the Old Testament is described by the Holy Fathers to serve as the educator Law that was to lead humanity into Salvation through Faith after the coming of Christ.
[Galatians 3:23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.[25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.[27] For as many of you as have been BAPTISED into Christ have put on Christ. Note in verse [27] please that being baptised into Christ or being put on Christ means UNION with Him.
(Galatians 3:27) “You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, with the life of Christ himself”

Lord Jesus did not come to teach philosophically but THERAPEUTICALLY (to cure man from sin in order to enable him back to the presence of God)!

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Scott Wilson

November 3, 2016 at 10:02 am

good reminder

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Barb Smith

November 3, 2016 at 10:04 am

Thank you for sharing and encouraging us to encourage ourselves in our God!

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Linda Wilson

November 3, 2016 at 10:22 am

thanks

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Scott Wilson

November 3, 2016 at 10:34 am

good encouragement

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