Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Do you tend to worry a lot? Have you considered why the Bible says, ‘give thanks always’?
In our daily lives it is not difficult to find something discouraging to worry or complain about. There are many discouraging things happening around the world that can get us weary, disappointed, disheartened and stressed out. If we look we can always find fault with something.
But instead of allowing discouraging things to get us griping and complaining like the children of Israel did and got stuck in the wilderness, the Bible tells us to give thanks in everything. God tells us to give thanks in every circumstance not for His benefit but for our own well being.
One of the reasons God tells us to give thanks is because having the attitude of thankfulness helps us to stay positive in a world of so much negativity.
When we cultivate a thankful heart it changes our mindset from viewing things with a negative perspective to having a positive one. It shifts our consciousness from focusing on the problem to focusing on God’s miraculous power.
The Scripture says,“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27). This is why God tells us to give attention to His Word more than anything else. (Proverbs 4:20-22).
What matters the most is not the challenge but the attitude with which we face the challenge. Essentially, the Bible is not telling us to give thanks “for” the circumstance or the trouble but “in” the circumstance. God does not expect us to thank Him for the trouble but to trust God to help us overcome the trouble.
The story of David at Ziklag is an example of trusting God in an impossible situation. This is a story about how David recovered all after a horrifying attack by the Amalekites. A humbling experience of how God fights our battles when we trust Him in the circumstance.
WHEN THE ENEMY COMES LIKE FLOOD
This season was the early years of David’s life in hiding when God was secretly preparing him for the role of leadership whilst Saul was still on the throne.
This particular story is referenced in, 1 Samuel Chapter 30.
So this was a season when David was on the run for his life. King Saul had ordered for David to be killed out of deep rooted jealousy towards David. Strangely, David sought refuge among the Philistines. Somehow, after a while he was given the city of Ziklag as a private place to use as his base. As such, David became a fugitive in Ziklag. So, David and his family, his troop of 600 men and their families lived in Ziklag as a place of refuge.
At a time, David led his troop on a three day venture in a bid to join the Philistine army. But the offer was turned down by the Philistine. Unfortunately whilst away on this trip, Ziklag was left unprotected. The Amalekites saw the opportunity and didn’t waste time to attack the defenceless city. When David and his troop returned home they were faced with a horrific scene.
The city was in smoke, empty and burnt to the ground.Their houses were in ashes. Their wives and sons and daughters were taken away as captives. Every valuable thing was taken away. David and his troops were absolutely gutted. They wept bitterly until they had no power to weep. ( 1 Samuel 30:4).
Suddenly, in the midst of all the crying and wailing David’s troops turned against him. They took offence at him because they thought David was to blame for the whole incident and should be stoned. Now, David is distressed on two fronts.
These men were so traumatized they became confused and upset. But imagine how David must have felt. He was driven out of his own country. His life was in danger day and night like a hunted animal. He tried joining the Philistine army but they rejected him. Now he has lost his family, his city and everything of value.
And now to rub salt into his wound his life is now in danger at the hands of his most trusted allies. The friends he gave shelter to. The troops he fed and supported to make their lives better. They all now have their backs against him in betrayal.
BE STRONG IN THE LORD
But take a look at David’s attitude In response: “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.” (1 Samuel 30:6).
The Bible says, “David strengthened himself in the Lord”. But the other men got discouraged because their confidence was in their strength. And When their strength was drained they were without hope. They got frustrated and bitter. But David did the opposite. He turned to God for strength.
Instead of railing accusations and pointing fingers like the others, David humbled himself before God in prayer. He took his eyes off his problem and fixed it on God. He encouraged himself in the Word of God. David lost all but he knew something about God who never forsakes us. (Deuteronomy 31:6). He knew about giving his hurt and care to God and trusting God to take better care of him. (1 Peter 5:7).
WINNING BATTLES IN PRAYER
In the place of prayer God surrounded David with peace. He calmed his fear and anxiety. David didn’t know what to do. But he waited on the Lord. And as David waited on the Lord, God gave him the strategy, “Pursue and Recover all” ( 1 Samuel 30:8).
David exercised his faith in obedience and God was faithful to fulfill His promise to David. God fought for David. God gave him the courage to relentlessly pursue the enemy until he recovered all. (1 Samuel 30:16-20). .
This world is a turbulent place filled with fear, pain, anxiety, confusion and a lot of hopelessness. But the Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
When things are out of our control it’s time to pray. ‘Lord I can’t fix this. I don’t have the means to resolve this. I don’t know where to start. But Lord, I trust that nothing is difficult for you. Show me what I need to do. Teach me what I need to know. Have your way in my life.’
Are you battling with situations that are out of your control? Take time to seek the Lord about your situation. Wait in prayer and meditate on the Word until you hear from God. When you receive confirmation of His promise then follow His instruction. Act on His Word believing that God will perform His promise.As we learn to submit to God, He will take control in our lives. God will become our help, strength and refuge.
OVERCOME FEAR WITH FAITH
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
In closing, I want to encourage you. Because we go through difficult situations does not mean that God has rejected us or that God disapproves of us. But the enemy will use these circumstances to cause us to doubt God so as to defeat us. If you focus on what the enemy is doing through your circumstances instead of what God can do you will miss the opportunity for God to be glorified in your situation.
Come to think about David’s life. David is one of the most popular Bible figures. Above many qualities, he is known for his exceptional bravery, wisdom, great poets, outstanding leadership, kindness and above all his love for God. But David was a man whose life was subjected to many tests and trials. However, those challenges explain the mystery behind the success.
The more the enemy tried to stop God’s plan for David, the more it was used for good to develop his faith muscle. That is why David could say, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3).
God used his circumstances as an opportunity to develop deeper trust. God used David’s circumstances as a “sacred” strategy for training him. Some of his challenges were part of the preparation for David to reign as a king over God’s people. The deeper our trust is rooted in God the more God can use us to advance His kingdom.
CONCLUSION
When we don’t understand why? When the situation looks bad. God knows and He is still good. And God wants us to walk in that truth by faith. He wants us to trust His promises more than our feelings. As we do God will use our circumstances as an opportunity to reveal His faithfulness and strengthen our faith.
So be encouraged that no matter the situation or the circumstances as a believer in Christ, God has already made you victorious in Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57). Knowing that, you can stay thankful focusing on God. You can believe that God will glorify Himself in your life.
Wherever you are in your journey of faith here is a FREE Prayer Guide for you to help you to continue to walk and live by faith. “30 Daily Meditations and Declarations of Faith.” It is provided to help you with Daily Scripture Meditation and Faith Affirmation to build your confidence in God.