We are individually responsible for strengthening ourselves in THE LORD!
Whatever appears to be the most dangerous, cluttered, distracting, abusive, whatever it may be, is actually my finest moment Because Jesus prepared the table for me to feast.
David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 23:
1 The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want (I will lack nothing, possessing more than enough: spirit, soul, and body).
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His Name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
It is the table of nourishment, the table of fellowship, the table of intimacy, the table of tenderness, the table of genuine friendship. Jesus prepared the table and makes the devil watch! The enemy can do nothing about it.
David was prophesied to be king, yet David was rejected by Saul. He was rejected by Israel. He was rejected by the Philistines. And now he’s rejected by the guys that owe him their life. That will make you question the prophecy. Did he hear right? The case was being built stronger and stronger that the Word given to him was not right.
He spent 13 years being chased by a crazy man named Saul.
And it is written by The Holy Spirit in 1st Samuel chapter 22:
1 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
David entered the cave alone. However, 600 men finally came to support him but they were in a state of distress, in debt, and discontentment. Ultimately, he would lead them out of the darkness they were in. Later, their commitment to David wavered.
In chapter 30:
6 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.
There are times when you and I will have no one fully supporting us in our individual challenges. We must strengthen ourselves in THE LORD. Let us always go to THE LORD to be strengthened and encouraged. We are never truly alone.
We learn the ways of THE LORD when we review our own histories of dealing with lack and when we were in abundance. What was it that brought breakthrough?
In my own life, I did three things:
I go into the Word of GOD and read Scriptures. I immersed myself in the Heart and Mind of GOD in the area of my situation. It is impossible to expose yourself to the Heart and Mind of GOD and not experience change. It may be little by little at first, but change is occurring. I like the “and suddenly” of GOD more that the “and slowly” of GOD. I keep reminding myself of the Heart of THE LORD.
I worshipped THE LORD. There is something that takes place in HIS Presence. Worshipping HIM includes dancing.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Samuel chapter 6:
14 Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
David wrote by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 33:
3 Sing to HIM a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
I chose to rejoice IN HIM regardless of the absence of joy, my breakthrough would come. The willful act of joy is often the fastest way out of the cloud of oppression and difficulty. This may be the greatest expression of faith.
Thirdly, having fellowship with other believers who will share with you what GOD is doing in their life. You don’t need to share your problem, bringing attention to yourself. You allow The Holy Spirit to work and minister to you through them.
Take responsibility for your own strength!