Three Points and a Poem for Encouragement

Three Points and a Poem for Encouragement

It’s a classic lesson structure; it’s nearly trite–overused. Can a message like that be encouraging? I say, “absolutely!” Here are three points and a poem to encourage you, from David the king who knew how to encourage others–and himself!

The scripture narrative:

From 1 Samuel 30:

David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.

When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

[Some translations say: “David encouraged himself in the Lord.”]

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”

“Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” 

David did what the Lord said, and by verse 18: David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. Within days, Saul was dead and David was king.

Point 1: The explication

David went from the frying pan to the fire in this narrative. Saul, king of Israel, was chasing him to kill him. Then his own men turned against him.

I’m sure David took a moment to weigh his options. Run and hide? Give himself up to Saul for a quick death? Return to Gath and Goliath’s family and throw himself at their feet and beg for mercy? The insanity act worked pretty well once before. Maybe once again … (1 Samuel 21). 

The story tells us that David “found strength in the Lord, “ or, he “encouraged himself in the Lord.”

What might David have said to “encourage himself”? “God, I remember how You helped me when the lion attacked my flocks. I remember how you helped me when the bear attacked the flocks. I remember how you stood with me against Goliath … I remember that night on the hillside when you whispered into my spirit, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want …’ I remember when the prophet anointed me as king, a promise that has yet to come to pass, but I know that all your promises are faithful and true.”

Consider the events:

The raid and the aftermath: While David and his 600 men were away with the Philistine army, the Amalekites attacked their home in Ziklag, burning it to the ground and taking everyone captive. 

Point 2: The moral lessons

Strengthen yourself in the Lord: When David’s men were bitter and wanted to stone him after their families were taken, David “encouraged himself in the Lord.” This shows that in times of extreme distress, the first and most important step is to seek God for comfort and guidance rather than despairing.

Seek God’s will: David didn’t allow his anger or pressure to dictate his actions. Instead, he went to God to find out His will for the situation. This teaches the importance of making decisions based on God’s guidance, even when under pressure.

Recover all through faith: The story is an example of recovering all that was lost. David was able to overtake the Amalekites and recover everything that had been stolen, demonstrating that God can restore what has been taken, whether it’s peace, joy, or possessions.

God’s grace is still available, even when all seems lost: Even when we feel abandoned or have made mistakes, the story highlights that God is present and able to help. He is a source of grace and mercy, and actively seeking Him is how we find His help. 

Point 3: New Testament Consensus

Romans 8:5-11,28-31: Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Hebrews 10: 19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Poem (Psalm 77):

I cried out to God for help;
    I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
    at night I stretched out untiring hands,
    and I would not be comforted.

I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
    I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[

You kept my eyes from closing;
    I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days,
    the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night.
    My heart meditated and my spirit asked: 

“Will the Lord reject forever?
    Will he never show his favor again?

Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
    Has his promise failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy.
    What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;
    you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, God,
    the waters saw you and writhed;
    the very depths were convulsed.

The clouds poured down water,
    the heavens resounded with thunder;
    your arrows flashed back and forth.

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
    your lightning lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea,
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Points in a song!

“You may not know how, you may not know when, but He’ll do it again!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIrM_tE8R7U

God bless you and always encourage you!