Strengthening Yourself in the Lord: Embracing the Journey

Devotional

Day 1: Strengthening Yourself in the Lord

When everything around you seems to be falling apart and support from others is nowhere to be found, you can still find strength by turning inward and encouraging yourself in the Lord. David, standing in the ashes of Ziklag, surrounded by grief and blame, chose not to be destroyed by his pain but to direct it toward God, drawing from the deep well of his spiritual history. This act of self-encouragement is not about empty self-talk, but about remembering who God is and what He has done, even when no one else is there to lift you up. In moments of isolation and distress, you possess the God-given ability to speak life and hope into your own soul, anchoring yourself in the Lord’s faithfulness. [01:41:39]

1 Samuel 30:1-6 (NKJV)
Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

Reflection: When was the last time you intentionally spoke God’s truth over your own life instead of waiting for someone else to encourage you? What would it look like to do that today?

Day 2: Embracing the Space Between Calling and Fulfillment

God often calls you to something great, but rarely does He allow you to step into it immediately; instead, He leads you through seasons of formation and development so your character can match your calling. The gap between the anointing and the appointment, between the oil and the opportunity, is not punishment but preparation. It is in these in-between spaces—when you feel stuck, delayed, or even rejected—that God is shaping you for what’s ahead. If you belittle the development, you may begrudge the assignment, but if you embrace the process, you’ll find that God is using every moment to refine and ready you for your destiny. [01:22:45]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel “in between” right now? How might God be using this season to develop your character for what’s next?

Day 3: God’s Mercy Tempers the Consequences

Even when you reap what you have sown, God’s mercy often softens the blow, giving you more grace than you have given others. Sometimes, God allows you to see your own reflection in the consequences you face—not to destroy you, but to repair and correct you. The discipline you receive from God is always mingled with mercy; He is not merely fair, but faithful, giving you what you need rather than what you deserve. In moments when justice demands one thing, God’s mercy steps in and tempers the consequences, reminding you that His faithfulness is greater than your failures. [01:33:24]

Psalm 103:8-12 (ESV)
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you deserved a harsher consequence but experienced God’s mercy instead? How can you extend that same mercy to someone else today?

Day 4: The Power of Remembering God’s Faithfulness

The first step to encouragement is memory—rehearsing your past victories and recalling the moments when God proved Himself faithful gives your current storm perspective. Before you can move forward, you may need to step back and remember how God has brought you through before. The fuel for your next victory is often found in remembering the last one, and spiritual strength is built by storing up God’s Word and His works in your heart. When you face new challenges, let your memory of God’s faithfulness be the foundation for your hope and courage. [01:48:27]

Psalm 77:11-14 (ESV)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

Reflection: What is one specific way God has shown Himself faithful to you in the past? How can remembering that today give you strength for your current situation?

Day 5: Speaking Life to Yourself

Sometimes the breakthrough you need is found in what you say to yourself—learning to speak truth, hope, and God’s promises over your life rather than listening to your fears and doubts. The silence of outside encouragement is often designed to teach you how to gather yourself and grow steady without depending on external applause. You are not crazy for talking to yourself; you are wise if you answer yourself with God’s truth. The next chapter of your life may depend on how you talk to yourself in this one, so make it personal and declare, “It’s going to be alright,” even when no one else does. [01:44:57]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Reflection: What negative or self-defeating words have you been speaking to yourself lately? What is one truth from God’s Word you can declare over yourself today instead?

Sermon Summary

There are moments in life when we are confronted with the reality that we simply cannot do it all on our own. No matter how hard we try, our strength, wisdom, and resources will always fall short of what is needed. This is not a sign of failure, but a reminder of our dependence on God’s mercy and faithfulness. Looking at the story of David in 1 Samuel 30, we see a man who was called and anointed by God, yet found himself in a season of deep pain and loss. David returned to Ziklag to find his home destroyed, his family taken, and his own men turning against him. In that moment, David was not just a leader facing crisis—he was a human being, grieving and alone.

God often places a calling on our lives, but rarely does He allow us to step into it without first leading us through seasons of character formation. The gap between the anointing and the appointment—the oil and the opportunity—is not punishment, but preparation. The enemy is not threatened by where we are, but by where we are headed, and so he attacks us in the process, hoping to distract and discourage us before we reach our destiny. Yet, what feels like an interruption is often God’s intentional process of shaping us for what’s next.

Sometimes, God allows us to encounter our own reflection in the ashes of our Ziklag. We may reap what we have sown, but even then, God’s mercy tempers the consequences. He is not a fair God who gives us what we deserve, but a faithful God who gives us what we need. Even in discipline, His mercy is present.

In the midst of pain, David models something crucial: he strengthens himself in the Lord. When external encouragement is absent, when no one is left to lean on, we must learn to speak life to ourselves. The silence of others is often God’s invitation to grow steady and secure in Him alone. The first step to encouragement is memory—rehearsing God’s past faithfulness to fuel our present hope. It is not about motivational self-talk, but about spiritual strengthening rooted in God’s Word and our history with Him.

Ultimately, the next chapter of our lives depends on how we talk to ourselves in this one. We must learn to make it personal, to encourage ourselves in the Lord, and to declare—even in the ashes—that it’s going to be alright.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace the gap between calling and fulfillment God rarely allows us to step directly into our calling without a season of preparation. The space between the anointing and the appointment is where our character is formed. If we belittle this development, we risk resenting the very assignment God has for us. Embracing the process is essential for spiritual maturity. [86:09]
2. God’s mercy tempers the consequences Even when we reap what we have sown, God often shows us more mercy than we have shown others. His discipline is not about destruction, but about correction and restoration. We do not want a fair God who gives us what we deserve, but a faithful God who gives us what we need. [92:40]
3. Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord When external support is absent, we must learn to speak life to ourselves. The silence of others is an invitation to grow in inner strength and dependence on God. The words we speak to ourselves can be the difference between breakthrough and breakdown. [101:39]
4. Remember God’s past faithfulness The first step to encouragement is memory—rehearsing the victories and miracles God has already accomplished in our lives. Our minds are the address of our memories, and sometimes the fuel for our next victory is found in remembering the last one. Spiritual strength is rooted in recalling God’s faithfulness. [108:27]
5. Make it personal and declare hope No one else can fully understand your journey or your pain. You must make your encouragement personal, declaring over yourself that it’s going to be alright. The next chapter depends on how you talk to yourself in this one—so speak hope, faith, and victory, even in the ashes. [113:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[68:56] - You Can’t Do It Alone
[78:00] - Setting the Scene: 1 Samuel 30
[80:08] - The Crisis at Ziklag
[82:45] - Calling and Character Formation
[84:49] - The Enemy Attacks in Process
[86:09] - Embracing the Gap
[88:36] - Trauma and Poetic Justice
[90:25] - Mercy in the Midst of Consequences
[92:40] - God’s Faithfulness vs. Fairness
[94:59] - Pain, Blame, and Leadership
[97:31] - The Isolation of Leadership
[99:38] - Directing Your Pain
[101:39] - Speaking Life to Yourself
[106:09] - Strengthening Yourself in the Lord
[108:27] - The Power of Memory
[113:32] - Make It Personal: Declare Hope
[118:13] - Final Encouragement and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

1 Samuel 30:1-6 (ESV)
Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

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### Observation Questions

What was the situation David and his men found when they returned to Ziklag? ([01:20:08])
How did David’s men respond to the crisis, and what did they want to do to David? ([01:20:58])
According to the passage, what did David do when he was greatly distressed and alone? ([01:20:58])
In the sermon, what does the “gap between the oil and the opportunity” refer to in David’s life? ([01:26:09])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why might God allow someone to go through a season of pain or loss before stepping into their calling, as seen in David’s story? ([01:26:09])
The sermon says, “God’s mercy tempers the consequences.” What does this mean in the context of David’s experience at Ziklag? ([01:32:40])
What does it look like to “strengthen yourself in the Lord” when there is no one else to encourage you? ([01:41:39])
The pastor said, “The next chapter depends on how you talk to yourself in this one.” Why is the way we speak to ourselves so important during hard times? ([01:45:28])

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### Application Questions

The sermon talks about the “gap between calling and fulfillment.” Are you currently in a season where you feel like you’re waiting for God’s promise or purpose to be fulfilled? How do you usually respond to this waiting period? ([01:26:09])
Have you ever experienced a time when you “reaped what you sowed,” but God showed you mercy instead of giving you what you deserved? How did that affect your view of God? ([01:32:40])
When you face discouragement or feel alone, what are some practical ways you can “encourage yourself in the Lord” instead of waiting for someone else to do it? ([01:41:39])
The pastor said the first step to encouragement is memory—rehearsing God’s past faithfulness. Can you share a specific memory of God’s faithfulness in your life that you can hold onto during tough times? ([01:48:27])
Think about the words you speak to yourself when you’re in a difficult season. Are they words of hope and faith, or words of defeat? What is one way you can change your self-talk this week to line up with God’s truth? ([01:45:28])
The sermon challenges us to “make it personal and declare hope.” What is one area of your life right now where you need to declare, “It’s going to be alright,” even if you don’t see the answer yet? ([01:53:32])
Is there someone in your life who is going through their own “Ziklag” moment? How can you come alongside them, or encourage them to strengthen themselves in the Lord? ([01:41:39])

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Sermon Clips

The assignment of the enemy is not to wait until you arrive and then start launching attacks. But warfare is initiated while you're still becoming. I want you to hear me long enough to let me say this, that it's not your right now that shakes the enemy. It's where you're headed. That's why he works tirelessly to distract you on the way to destiny with delays and discouragement. Because make no mistake about it, if the enemy can sever your connection with God and steal your focus, you'll never fully tap into the potential that's been placed on the inside of you. [01:24:17] (60 seconds) #EnemyAttacksYourDestiny

It's crucial for you to know where you are because you don't want to misinterpret the gap between the oil and the opportunity. You catch that. I want you to be aware of where you are because you don't want to misinterpret the gap between the oil and the opportunity. You don't want to make the detrimental mistake of cursing what God intends to use as his tool for shaping you. Far too often, the delay between the calling and the assignment feels like punishment. [01:25:57] (44 seconds) #EmbraceTheGap

What feels like interruption is actually God's intentional process. I want you to understand that you have to learn how to embrace the space between your here and your there. Because if you belittle the development, you'll begrudge the assignment. Did you hear me? I said if you belittle the development, you'll begrudge the assignment. And nowhere does this sacred tension sing louder than in the life of David. [01:26:51] (38 seconds) #MercyReflectsYou

Sometimes you have reaped what you've sown, but thanks be to God that he's always given you more mercy than you've given other people because sometimes God will allow your Ziglag to become the place where you meet your own reflection. Did you catch me? Did you catch that? Let me tell it to you again, that sometimes God will allow your Ziglag to become the place where you meet your own reflection. And it's not always about what others did to you. Sometimes it's about what God is revealing in you. [01:30:42] (44 seconds) #MercyTemperedConsequences

Sometimes God has to let you look at your reflection through someone else's response. Not to destroy you, but to repair and correct you. Because here's the truth, church. The discipline we receive from God doesn't show up the way we deserve. I thought you would shout about that. You just got through shouting, you can't beat God's giving. That's a moment of shouting right there. Because even in discipline, God's mercy tempers the consequences. [01:32:10] (45 seconds) #LeadershipIsHuman

``When justice demands one thing, and when we've disqualified ourselves through our actions, the good news of thanksgiving is that mercy steps in and softens the blow. Am I preaching to anybody who can give God praise that that's why you ought not want a fair God, but you need a faithful God? Because fairness gives you what you deserve, but faithfulness gives you what you need. I said you don't want a fair God. You ought to pray for a faithful God. [01:32:58] (40 seconds) #SpeakStrengthToYourself

Thank God, thank God that his mercy always tempers the consequences. I don't know what that does for anybody, but just like David, we've all had moments where our hands were dirty. We've all had moments where our motives were selfish. We've all had moments where our choices were reckless. We've all had moments where our hearts were divided. Yet mercy keeps finding us because God keeps staying near to us. [01:34:18] (35 seconds) #BreakthroughStartsWithin

Perhaps the only thing standing between you and your breakthrough is what you say to yourself. Did you catch that? Let me say it to you again. Perhaps the only thing that's standing between you and your breakthrough is what you say to yourself. When was the last time you stood in the middle of your situation and said, this is not how my story ends? The last time you stood in the middle of your situation and looked at yourself and said, God has not abandoned me. [01:45:05] (35 seconds)

When was the last time you looked at yourself and said, there's still victory after the fire? You got to learn how to encourage yourself because the next chapter depends on how you talk to yourself in this one. Did you catch that, church? I said the next chapter depends on how you talk to yourself in this one. Wait, KJ. The text says, but David strengthens himself in the Lord. When the character of the people close to him was revealed, he remembered God. [01:45:40] (51 seconds)

I want to submit this to you, church, that sometimes the first step to encouragement is memory. Did you catch that? The first step to encouragement is memory. You've got to rehearse your past victories to give your current storm some perspective because you do know that your mind is the address of your memory. Before you find the strength to move forward, you may have to step back into memory. Before you move forward, you may have to step back and look at the miracles and the moments where God proved himself faithful. [01:47:50] (59 seconds)

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