OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT BY GOD’S WORD

“But David ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN the Lord HIS GOD” – 1 Samuel 30: 6b (KJV)

The Story of King David illustrates how to OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT by GOD’S WORD: “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 Sam.30:6, KJV). To be discouraged is to lose heart; to become despondent or disheartened. This tendency is overwhelming in the world in which we live. Discouragement does not come from God, but from the adversary, and it’s no respecter of persons; it comes to all – irrespective of status, title, blood line, position, possessions, colour, nationality, gender, or age – in many different ways and through different kinds of circumstances and people.  

David had been anointed by God to be Israel's next king, but in the process before actual manifestation, he was discouraged repeatedly. He was constantly on the run for his life from King Saul who wanted him dead. He faced despair on a daily basis. Here at Ziglag, David's discouragement was overwhelming. The Amalekites invaded Ziglag, captured his family and those of his soldiers, burnt his city, and his men blamed him for this catastrophic event. David's men were so discouraged that they had thoughts of killing him themselves by stoning him to death. This scene is a picture of how low discouragement can bring the mind, to the point of wanting to murder; not so much physical murder, but to want to murder people with words.

Amidst terrible despair and distress, David decided to do the one thing we all need to do when discouragement tries to overwhelm us. He remembered His God and how He had delivered him many times in the past. David encouraged himself by seeking and inquiring of the Lord in his situation. Seeking God's help in the time of discouragement is key to Victory: “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (v.8). All of these came to pass as God promised: “DAVID RECOVERED ALL….” (1Sam.30: 18-19).

David’s testimony is proof that discouragement should have no power over the true Believer. Like David, we can take certain crucial steps to Overcome Discouragement: (a) Have a relationship with and draw close to God to be able to reach Him instantly for help, as distress often comes unexpectedly; (b) Trust God – His Character and His Faithfulness (Psa.42:5, 56:3, 118:8; Rom.8:2; 2Pet.3:18); (c) Cast our burdens on Him instead of worrying – worry always weakens (Psa.55:22; Phi.4: 6-8); and (d) Claim God’s promises and accept His answers cheerfully. David knew God’s Word and chose to meditate on it (Psa.19:14). We too must meditate on God’s promises, not on our worries!

In David’s distress, God enabled him to recover all that the enemy had carried off. Job also encouraged himself in God (Job 13:15; 23:10). Paul accepted God’s seemingly negative answer cheerfully (2 Cor.12:9). As children of God, we have authority through Christ Jesus to use the Word of God to tear down negative thoughts and words every time they present themselves to us. When discouragement raises up its ugly head in attempt to make us feel down and out, we must cast it down, reject, rebuke, and counter it with the Word of God (2 Cor.10:5). We must purpose in our heart and mind to fight against discouragement with the weapons of God’s Word. Quitting is not an option for us. Let’s remember and understand that the battle is IN the “MIND!” That’s why we are commanded to daily wash our minds with God’s Word.

God has graced us with Power on the inside through His Indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). He gives us fuel to fight and keep pressing on despite all odds. When discouragement comes, the choice is ours, to either see the glass half full or half empty. We can arise from that state of being emotional down or defeated, of feeling dismal or overwhelmingly hopeless. In Christ, there’s always a Living Hope!