Encourage Yourself
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. 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV
I had a very dear person in my life who asked me every time I saw her, “Please pray for me that I will receive a touch from the Lord; I’m so dry”. Of course, I did pray but when I spoke with her about it, I could see clearly why this may have been so. This dear lady, and I know she is not the only one, was sitting in ‘receive mode’ waiting for God to do something. She was waiting for God to make the first move so she could respond.
I tried to encourage her to come up front and participate in praise and worship but she did not want to. When I asked if she had any worship music at home, she said she did not. I know this lady loved the Lord and read her Bible but obviously, something is missing. Some people think they can have hands laid on them in prayer and, poof, it’s instantly all better. I am not saying that cannot happen from time to time when it's necessary, but it is not God’s way. He requires something from us.
We, as people with a mind and will, decide to enter into His presence and to seek after Him. His Spirit is always with us but we must actively commune with him. I am sure you can all relate to this example. You are out and about, and by chance run into someone you would consider a friend or acquaintance. In the course of the conversation, they ask,” How come you never call me?” as if the relationship was all in your hands.
I have been in this situation and my first thought is, “The phone goes both ways”. Why do people sit in receive mode waiting for the other person to call first? I have had people complain to me that they have no friends, that no one ever calls them to go out. My first response is, “Have you called them?” They just look at me as if I am from outer space. I have learned that this attitude is very prevalent and if I want to maintain a relationship with someone then I just have to take the responsibility and make the first effort myself. Sure, it’s not fair, but I want the relationships.
I encourage you to have this attitude with God as David did. My example is not perfect but you get my point. When you are in a bad situation go immediately to God and get for yourself what you need from His Word and His presence. He will not do it for you. Draw near to Him and he will not fail to draw near to you.
