“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
Foundation Scriptures: 1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 AMP
While Saul was still after David, David found an ally in Achish, king of Gath. Achish gave David the town of Ziklag. While David and his men were away fighting their battles, the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negeb and taken everything they owned and held dear, including all of their wives and children. They were left with nothing! David and his men were devastated. They all wept till they could weep no more, then some of them started blaming David and threatened his life. Not only did David suffer the same loss as his men, but now his own men wanted to turn on him! In the midst of his grieving and stress, David turned to the Lord and encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord. He began to remind himself of how good God is and how God is always on his side!
Once he had reminded himself of God’s faithfulness, David did not just get up and pursue the Amalekites – he sought God for what to do next. This was the strength of David. David did not lean on or rely on his own strength or ability. He looked to and trusted always in his God for direction and strength. The Lord told him to go up after them and that they would be successful in rescuing their families and possessions, which he did. David was successful because he always trusted firmly in God and His word. David chose to worship God in the middle of the worst circumstances, when all he could see was destruction and devastation. He did not worship only when everything was going his way. He did not allow life to beat him down and keep him down. He always looked to the Lord, picked himself up and won the battle.
You can win your battles too, but only if you worship the Lord and trust in Him and His word, and not your own strength and abilities, just like David did. Here are some scriptures you can meditate on and speak over your life as you encourage yourself in the Lord. You can cry out like David: “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 118:5-6 AMP)
Then shall my enemies turn back in the day that I cry out; this I know, for God is for me. In God, Whose word I praise, in the Lord, Whose word I praise, In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalms 56:9-11 AMP
What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] Romans 8:31 AMP
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalms 18:2-3 KJV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalms 23:1 KJV
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident. 4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalms 27:1-6 NKJV
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. 8 The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Psalms 28:7-8 NKJV
But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. Psalms 94:22 KJV
The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. Psalms 118:14-17 NKJV
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:24-26 NKJV
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV
You may have some scriptures that the Lord has given you to stand on. Continue to look to God and His promises and not your adverse circumstances and you will come through on the other side in victory!
