Have you ever felt like you have given your all and yet no one appreciates what you do? And just when you feel that your making some progress everything seems to be shot down. When you’re overwhelmed and distressed it seems as if everyone is against you, suddenly you discover there is no one to turn to for comfort or help in your trouble, no one but God.

We read in 1 Samuel 30 that David felt the same way we do at times. But David discovered that when there is no one to stand by you or to encourage you that sometimes you just have to learn how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.  

David and his men had returned home to Ziklag to find that the Amalekites had been there and they had raided and burned the city of Ziklag. But the worst was that they had taken all the women, their sons, and daughters and all that were there captive. They were distressed and they cried until they couldn’t cry anymore.

Everything that meant anything to David was gone. All his men were very angry and bitter against him. They began to criticize and blame him for what happened and talked of stoning him. It seemed like all hope was gone. Everything came crashing down on David, and he was in distress and wept until he had no more power to weep. 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like that where you feel everyone and everything is against you? You are all alone. There is no one to encourage you or to tell you it will be okay.

When David finished crying he knew what he had to do. The distress of that moment drove him to God. He didn’t seek God or inquire of Him before going out to support Achish in the battle, but now he knew God was all he had left. So he goes to God and he asked God, “What do I do?” 

When you find yourself in a situation that seems hopeless, look to God, and find your strength in Him. 

Encourage yourself in the Lord by remembering how He has been faithful in the past. 

It is in those desperate times when we run out of our own resources and we have no place else to turn that we realize God is waiting for us and He is more than enough! He will love you when everyone else rejects you. He will not turn his back on you or forsake you in the battle. 

In prayer he was reminded to trust in the Lord, It was there that God gave David clear instructions; he not only found strength but also direction. God told David, “Pursue for you shall surely overtake them and without fail, recover all.”

 David pursued with 400 of his men and God went with them. And they recovered all that the Amalekites had taken away “he recovered all and nothing was lacking.”

 Not everyone will always agree with you, others may not stand with you when you find yourself in a crisis, but keep moving forward in spite of the difficulties that come against you. 

Seek the Lord earnestly. He will show you what to do and He will even go with you. Life is not always going to be easy. You may feel you are walking all alone; but let me remind you what God’s Word says  “I will never leave you or forsake you, I will stick closer to you than a brother. (Heb.13: 5, Proverbs 18:24)

 And so, when the going gets tough, remember, it is an opportunity for God to show up. He will walk with you through the fire and wipe away the tears. Take some time to get before God and ask Him for direction, and remember what He has done in the past He surely will do it again.

 You have to read the rest of the story: 1 Samuel 30 “God fights for us, preserves us and delivers us.” (Deut. 31:6-8)