Encourage Yourself In The LordSample

Other Benefits Of Encouraging Yourself In The Lord

In the past couple of days, we looked at some benefits associated with encouraging yourself in the Lord, and as we come to the close of this plan, I wanted to point out just a few more benefits we could glean from this practice. Once David decided to encourage himself in the Lord, he received mental strength, and it positioned him to become sensitive to God’s voice for direction to move forward. God was very clear in his answer to David. God said, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail, recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8 (AMPC).  I am amazed by the precise and distinct answer David received from God all because he didn’t wallow in self-pity and depend on others to bring him out of his hopeless situation. With this direct word from God on what David should do, he went to his men and encouraged them with the word of the Lord and the very men who wanted to stone him got on board with David. After David got the men to agree they ventured to follow the word of the Lord – Pursue and Recover all!

David and his men experienced:

• Physical strength to pursue their enemies – out of six hundred men, four hundred were infused with physical strength to go to battle all the way. 1 Samuel 30:9 – 10 (AMPC). God will again bring others around you when you encourage them with the same words you encouraged yourself with from the Lord.
• Favor to know the enemy’s plans and strategy for recovery – David and his men stumbled upon an Egyptian man who was a servant of one of the Amalekites. His master left him to die because he fell sick while they were journeying. David gave him food and drink and promised to spare his life if he would lead them to the enemy’s camp. (1 Samuel 30:11 – 16). God will cause people and favor to follow you when you hear and obey his word in your times of distress. God will also give you strategies of how to pray, worship, and fast for the breakthrough.
• Recovery and restoration of all – David and his men had so much strength they fought from twilight to the evening of the next day! They recovered all – nothing missing. (1 Samuel 30: 17 – 20). When you trust God and his word, there is no way to fail – God will keep His promises to you.
• Compassion for others – David remembered the two hundred men that were faint and could not go all the way with him, but the other four hundred men did not want to give them any spoils because they didn’t fight. They thought  all they deserved was their wives and children, But not David. He decided that all the spoils would be shared. (1 Samuel 30:21 – 25). When you know what it is like to lose everything and stand-alone, and you allow God’s word to penetrate your heart, you will be moved with compassion to help and share with others.

Isn’t it amazing the series of benefits that can flow from just one decision to encourage yourself in the Lord? Something supernatural happens when you look to God rather than the hopeless situation, and God himself changes everything when you encourage yourself in Him!

“With God, you are stronger than your struggles and more fierce than your fears. God provides comfort and strength to those who trust in Him. Be encouraged, keep standing, and know that everything's going to be alright.” ― Germany Kent