This morning during my prayer time this Scripture came to mind:
“But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (KJV)
The phrase comes from 1 Samuel 30:6.
Why did David do this? Well…
David had just experienced an overwhelming loss. While he and his men were away, the Amalekites attacked Ziklag, burned it, and took their wives and children captive. David’s own men were so distressed that they talked about stoning him. And yet Scripture says David “encouraged himself in the LORD.” What does that mean? It means David turned his heart and mind toward God instead of allowing his circumstances to determine his faith.
David didn’t pretend everything was okay. He was genuinely devastated. But rather than remaining consumed by fear, grief, and discouragement, he strengthened himself by remembering who God was and what God had already done. Most likely, in that moment David probably:
- Remembered God’s faithfulness. He reflected on how God had delivered him before.
- Remembered God’s promises. David reminded himself that his future was ultimately in God’s hands.
- Sought God’s presence. Instead of making a decision based solely on his emotions, he turned to God.
- Trusted God’s character. His circumstances were terrible, but God had not changed.
- Turned to God for direction. Immediately afterward, David asked the Lord what he should do: “Shall I pursue after this troop?” (1 Samuel 30:8).
- And acted on God’s answer. God told him to pursue them, and David eventually recovered everything that had been taken.
So, “David encouraged himself in the Lord” doesn’t mean David simply gave himself a motivational speech. It means he found his strength in God.
There’s an important distinction
David wasn’t saying: “I’m strong. I can handle this.”
He was actually saying: “This is more than I can handle, but God is greater than what I’m facing. I know who my God is, I know what He has done, and I will seek Him for what to do next.”
That’s why the next part of the passage is so significant. After strengthening himself in the Lord, David sought God’s direction. A discouraged David turned to God, was strengthened, sought God’s direction, and God gave him victory!
What is really interesting is David’s circumstances had not yet changed when he encouraged himself. The army was still gone. His family was still captive. His men were still angry. What changed first was David’s source of strength. In fact, the Amplified version of the Bible states that “David felt strengthened and encouraged.” The New International version reads “David found strength.”
This was more than just an intellectual exercise. He found and felt that strength and encouragement!
How can we apply this today?
When you’re discouraged, “encouraging yourself in the Lord” can look like deliberately reminding yourself: “God is still God, even though this situation is difficult.” Then you can bring your emotions honestly to Him, remember His faithfulness, pray over the situation, meditate on His Word, and ask: “Lord, what do You want me to do next?”
It isn’t denying the pain. It’s refusing to let the pain have the final word.
Some other Scriptures that express this same idea are Psalm 42:5, where David tells his own soul to hope in God, and Psalm 103:1, where he tells his own soul to bless the Lord.
In other words, sometimes biblical encouragement involves speaking God’s truth to your own soul when your emotions are telling you something different.
Let’s pray together:
Lord, for those who read and receive this devotional; for those discouraged and in great need of encouragement and strength. I am thankful for this reminder of Your faithfulness straight out of your Holy Scriptures. Help us remember Your faithfulness and promises; to experience Your presence, trust in Your character, and both seek, receive, and act on Your answers. I am thankful for the faithfulness of Your Scriptures and Your great love and care for those pressed down. Father God, thank You for lifting up our heads and hearts! I pray in the mighty precious Name of Jesus – Amen.
(Written by Doug Linser – August 2026)
