Carina Francke

There is no one who does not experience adversity in his or her life. Some blame God for their misery, others lie down in sackcloth and ash; and others are in a towering rage towards those they suspect of being the cause of their misery. In a broken world, adversity is part and parcel of our lives, but our response to it determines how it affects our lives.

David experienced numerous adversities in his lifetime, but his response to these trying circumstances, was to appeal to the Lord for His presence, for His help, power, and His ability to deliver from evil. No wonder he could say, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of it all" (Psalm 34:19).

1 Samuel 30 records the incident when Ziklag, the city where David dwelt when he fled from Saul, was burnt to the ground with fire and all the women and children taken captive by the Amalekites. Note how differently people responded to this shocking news: the grieving men wanted to stone David, whilst the equally grieving David "strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Sam 30:6). He refused to throw a pity party, he responded! The One who strengthens him, was his first step in taking action .. he inquired of the Lord if he should pursue the abductors. With the "Yes" from God bagged, he and the men pursued the enemy.

God worked with them.

On the road, they found a sick Amalekite man who took part in the raid on Ziklag. They fed him and in exchange for this favour, he brought them to the place where the Amalekite gang was spread over the land, whilst enjoying the spoil they took from Ziklag. David's victory was sweet - he defeated them, freed all the women and children, and took back the whole spoil.

This narrative poses a question to you: Do you love and trust the Lord enough to strengthen yourself in Him and to inquire of Him when adversity comes knocking at your door?  If He answers you, do you obey Him? Because in the end, thát is what strengthens you!

When someone strengthens himself in the Lord, he encourages himself, literally talking to himself audibly, "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?  Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God" (Ps 42:5 MSG).

This self-talk is loaded with positivity - it leaves no space for despondency, doubt, or sorrow - because the person trusts God. He walks right through difficult times, because God is his companion. At the end of his struggle, he still has a song of praise, because God delivered him.

Prayer: Lord, you are my strength and my power. Without Your presence and dictation of my heart, I get stuck in the mud of adversity. I sing a song of praise in Your honour - a song that declares that God is my God.  Amen