FINDING UNFAILING STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN GOD
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- Feb 1, 2023
- 4 min read
Today’s Reading:
1 Samuel 30:1-8
“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.” (vv.6-8)
In the earlier Chapters, David had escaped from king Saul to seek asylum with his friend Achish son of King Maoch of Gath (Chapter 27). Known for their long-time enmity, the Philistines were preparing to go to war with Israel. And in appreciation of what Achish had done for him, David volunteered to join forces with Achish in the Philistine camp against Israel. On sighting David and his men, the Philistine commanders demanded to know their mission in their midst. When he remembered the song the women sang in praise of David when he killed Goliath, the Commanders rejected the idea of David following them to fight Israel. He feared David might change his mind to appease his master Saul and hand them over to Israel,
In Today’s reading, the Philistine sent David and his men back home rejected, beaten down, and delated. And to worsen the matter, they arrived to find their town burnt down, homes destroyed, their families taken away by the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag and their town. Everything was taken away, but no one was killed. David and his men wept till they could weep no more (vv. 1-2). David was greatly distressed because his men were talking of stoning him. But David found strength, encouraged himself in the Lord his God (v. 6). This occurrence was a turning point in David’s life, because he had a good opportunity to demonstrate to the people how to absolutely trust in God when there is no one else to turn to or trust. What a powerful and awesome God!
Now is the beginning of a new year. This is the time the kingdom of darkness lay serious and strong siege against the children of God and satanic activities are at its peak to regroup and reinforce effort to destroy the good things God is doing in the lives of His children, to plant seed of affliction, to steal and to kill. Wicked arrows fly around to destabilise people and put fear in their minds in order to destabilise and destroy the good plans for the new year. They give negative dreams and throw fiery darts of thought to cause chaos and confusion. They threaten, boast and instil fear in the minds of their victims. Fear is a wicked tool in the hands of the enemy to make us fall into trap, to make wrong choices and decisions (Ephesians 6:10-18). They try very much to put people in bondage again and seek to renew evil covenant that had been broken. And the plan of God for us is that affliction shall not rise up the second time in our lives (Nahum 1:9).
I do not know what you have been experiencing since the beginning of this new year. But whatever, when we are surrounded by a siege of attacks from the enemy, what do we do?
Surrender your life to the lordship of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:3)
Like David, stop being downcast, stop weeping, encourage yourself in the Lord our God, trust in him to supply help, strategy to fight spiritual warfare, strength, encouragement and comfort.
Know your enemy. As believers, we are not wrestling with flesh and blood. Our spiritual warfare/wrestle is against evil rulers and authorities in the unseen realm, mighty powers in the dark world, and evil spirits in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).
Know the God you serve that He is a mighty terrible God and a consuming fire who fights for His children against His enemies who oppress them (Exodus 14:14).
Daily read and meditate upon the word of God and memorise verses of the Bible. They are our offensive and defensive weapons, because we overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus and by the words of our testimony (Rev. 12:11).
Daily put on the whole armour of God. Be strong, be bold in the Lord, and Trust the mighty power He supplies (Eph. 6:10-11)
Be a prayer warrior and addict, be able to intercede for others in need (Eph. 6:18)
Let the praises of God continually be in your mouth, worship and adore Him. He is worthy of our praises (Ps. 149:6).
Do not harbour grudges. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to forgive all those who offended you, be praying for them, by that, the Holy Spirit will convict them of wrong doing and heal you (Matt.6:14).
Daily pray in the spirit, speak the heavenly language, if you cannot, use the weapon of the name of Jesus (Mk. 16:17; Acts 19:6).
Continually use the weapon of the blood of Jesus, fumigate your environment, soak yourself, and family in the blood of Jesus.
Daily confess your shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.
Always ask for out-pour of the mercy of God upon your life, family and environment.
When we are faced with very hard situation, bleak situation, our future is threatened, when we are at our lowest ebb, when afraid or at any time, our strength lies in being humbled to seek the face of God and lay our weaknesses at His feet. Trust in God ALONE, because the arm of flesh may fail you. Nothing around you gives peace of mind and strength, as the mighty power of God.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your mighty power to save to the uttermost, your power to deliver from any form of bondage, to break evil covenant and blood soul tie, in Jesus’ name.
Thank You for the strength with which You have been upholding myself and family, in Jesus’ name.
I take the shield of faith to quench the fiery dart of the enemy, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, rain Your mercy on me and my family, in Jesus’ name.
Help me Lord to understand the length, breath, depth and height of the love of Christ, in Jesus’ name.
Arise O Lord and grant our youths and teenagers thirst and hunger for things of You, in Jesus name.
Father cause evil men that are committed to cause war in our nation to begin to destroy themselves with their wicked power, in Jesus name.
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