Strengthen Yourself In The Lord

First Samuel 30:6...But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Are you looking after yourself? People pay mega bucks to repair their bodies or to firm them up. Some people will make frequent visits to gyms and fitness clubs in order to strengthen their bodies. But what do you do "to strengthen" yourself "in the Lord." King David knew what to do.

I wonder what he did?

Do you recognise the times when you need to strengthen yourself in the Lord?

It must have been harder for David to become strong in the Lord than it is for a Christian today. Today, we have the knowledge of Christ and His work on the Cross that strengthens us (Romans 16:25). We are blessed with experienced believers who the Lord uses to strengthen us (see Acts 14:22; 15:32; 16:5). We can be strengthened when we yield to, fellowship with, and ask for the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). We can appeal to God anytime, anywhere, in any spiritual condition, for God to strengthen us by His grace (giving us something we don't deserve, see 2Tim. 2:1; Hebrews 13:9; 1Peter 5:10). This strengthening grace of God comes to us through the Body of Christ- our local church. Just being in church on Sunday with God's people in an atmosphere of worship for Jesus, the sacrament of Holy Communion, the sacred declaration of God's Word so that believers are made and strengthened, personal prayer from others, and careful fellowship (see Hebrews 10:25 and 1Peter 4:10).

We are strenthened in the Lord when we share the Gospel with others - especially when it is difficult to do so (2Timothy 4:17). We can also be strengthened when despite how we feel, we take time out to pray-

Hebrews 12:12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees

Are you looking after yourself? Are you strengthening yourself in the Lord?

Revelation 3:2a Wake up, and strengthen what remains.

Amen.