How to Find Strength in the Lord Like David

The Secret to Joy, Victory, and Intimacy with God

The greatest reason we exist is the greatest reason to enjoy life.

Of course, this question is not difficult for the Bible-believing Christian. A biblical worldview of purpose, meaning, and life is wrapped up in the Scriptures’ declaration of truth and that there is One God whom we are commanded to love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) We are called to draw near to God and enjoy an intimate relationship through Jesus Christ (see James 4:8).

In Killing Sin, Karl Clauson writes,

“Living in intimate proximity to Jesus will allow us to conquer the most potent sins and bear more spiritual fruit than we could ever dream of!”

King David knew what it was like to live in intimate proximity to the Lord and to experience spiritual fruit. In fact, God recorded in 1 Samuel 30:6 that during David’s distress, he says, “David found strength in the Lord his God.” David was able to turn the real-life anguish, worry, and fear in his heart and mind, and focus his energy back on where His strength and help come from: The Lord Himself!

We have seen this discipline of recalling God’s work and character in David’s life since he came into the Bible’s historical focus. At the threat of the Goliath, David recalls, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”(1 Samuel 17:37).

So here in David’s distress, he strengthens himself in the Lord. (Some translations say he encouraged himself in the Lord.) Evidenced through many Psalms that David wrote, his default way of doing this was telling himself the truth of God’s providence, promises, and character. He argued with himself out of moods of distress and disbelief.

Look at this account.

And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” 1 Samuel 30:7–8

Encouraging ourselves in the Lord may not always be accompanied by a feeling of courage and faith in the moment. But we see it here for David; it empowered him to put his focus on the Lord’s will. God answered him and, spoiler alert! Provided him victory. (See the full chapter 1 Samuel 30)

In the quote above, Karl mentions bearing “more spiritual fruit than we can ever dream of!” From this same intimacy with God, we can dream of conquering the one thing that is holding us back. It may be that sin we fall into daily, or that weight of depression we carry with us. When we are intentional in slowing our lives down and silencing our hearts, waiting before the Lord, that will culminate in God’s strength and salvation. This is only found in moving our lives toward greater intimacy with God.

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Eric preaches, teaches, and serves as a lay elder in his local church and writes regularly at For1Glory.com. He and his wife, Melanie, live in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and have three adult children.