In our previous study, we learnt about being united with God’s truth through His Word. As you grow in the knowledge of the Lord, you develop a rich reserve of His Divine wisdom in your heart’s storehouse. This reserve is necessary for every child of God. It is from this reserve you draw encouragement when faced with challenging situations. Aside the encouragement you can receive from your brothers and sisters, you can also encourage yourself from this rich deposit of God’s word in your spirit. David was faced with a challenging situation, when the Amalekites had invaded their camp in Ziklag and burned it with fire but also took captive their women and children (1 Samuel 30:1-2). During this time his own people turned against him and contemplated stoning him. It is at that time when even those he thought could stand with him, turned against him, that we read in our opening scripture: “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”.

David had to strengthen himself in the Lord His God. How did he do it? He had to dip into the reservoir of His knowledge of God. You begin to tell yourself of God’s faithfulness as revealed in His Word. If you are faced with some situation that threatens the supply of resource, you dip into Psalm 23:1, which says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”. You begin to say those words aloud to yourself. As you do this, you will experience divine encouragement from within you. That is how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

If the Word was not deposited, it may not be available for your drawing at the time of need. I encourage you with Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. With the rich deposit of God’s word, you can draw from there and encourage yourself even when you are alone. You are not supposed to be dejected or discouraged as a child of God, you are given the Word, the Holy Spirit and the Church (your brothers and sisters in the Lord). Give no room to discouragement in your life despite what you are facing. What is at your disposal is greater than any trouble. Take advantage of what God has given you in Christ.