1 Samuel 30:1-20 tells how David and his men returned to Ziklag, to find that their wives and children had been taken captive by their enemies, and their homes had been burned. "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."

Immediately after this, the same men who wanted to stone David, followed him and overtook their enemies and rescued their families and returned with animals and other plunder. How could a man who was cornered, and about to be stoned to death, turn around and inspire these angry, grieving, tired men to successfully undertake this? What brought about this transformation in David?

We can find keys in the Psalms, which record David's prayer songs and worship songs. They show us how David encouraged himself in the Lord, and how we can do the same.

David talked to his soul (his mind, will, and emotions).

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." ) Psalm 42:5, 11)

(If you are using a Catholic Bible, the numbering of the Psalms is somewhat different. If my quotes don't match yours then try using one number lower for the Psalm, and/or one number higher for the verse. For example, for Psalm 42:5, you could try 42:5, 42:6, 41:5, and 41:6.)

The term "cast down" is significant. David was a shepherd. A "cast" sheep was one which was unable to get up because of circulation problems in its legs. If the shepherd didn't find the sheep and help it get on its feet, the sheep would die. David is saying that his soul is like a cast sheep. And he is talking to his soul, telling it to get back up on its feet. (For information about shepherds and "cast" sheep, read "A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty-Third Psalm" by Philip Keller.) After exhorting his soul to get back up on its feet, David tells the Lord why he is distressed and how he feels about the situation. He ends the Psalm by repeating his exhortation to his soul, and expressing confidence that things will be alright.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:1-2)

David tells his soul to bless the Lord. For the rest of the Psalm, he reminds himself about God's mercy and love and faithfulness, and exhorts God's creatures to bless Him.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty" (Psalm 104:1)

David tells his soul to bless the Lord. Then he praises God for His might and His greatness. In the process, he reminds himself of reasons for blessing the Lord.

"Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee" (Psalm 116:7)

David tells why he loves the Lord, and then exhorts his soul to be at rest. Then he speaks again for the rest of the Psalm about God's love and faithfulness and benefits.

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." (Psalm 146:1-2)

David exhorts his soul to praise the Lord. For the rest of the Psalm he reminds himself of good reasons for praising the Lord.

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." (Psalm 34:1-3)

David makes a decision to bless the Lord at all times -- no matter what is happening in his life. He makes a commitment that his soul will proclaim how wonderful God is. He exhorts his listeners to join him in proclaiming God's greatness. The rest of the Psalm tells of God's faithfulness to the people who love him. In other words, David is giving both his own soul, and his listeners, reasons for blessing and praising the Lord.

The Apostle Paul also exhorts his listeners to bless the Lord at all times. He encourages them to sing songs of worship and praise, and to rejoice in the Lord.

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-20)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)

Paul practiced what he preached. When he and Silas were attacked by a mob, and then whipped by the Romans with "many stripes" (a severe beating), they were thrown into the high-security section of the prison, with their feet in stocks. Did they complain and say, "God, why did You let this happen to me?" No. They prayed and sang praises to God, loudly enough for the other prisoners to hear them. (Acts 16:22-25)

And how did God respond? There was an earthquake and the prison doors opened, and they were set free from their fetters. The man in charge of the prison, and his entire household, became Christians and were immediately baptized. (Acts 16:26-34)

Now I don't know about you, but if I had been whipped -- with my back torn open and bleeding and horribly painful -- and then thrown into a filthy prison, I definitely would not feel like singing and praising God. And if I was being hunted like an animal by a king that I had served faithfully, I would not feel like blessing the Lord.

Paul and David demonstrated that it is possible. If we truly desire to "rejoice always" and "give thanks in all circumstances," then God will enable us to do it. And, like Paul and Silas, we may see amazing changes when we do.

USE OF THIS ARTICLE

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Copyright 2001 by Mary Ann Collins. All rights reserved.

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