21 Days of Encounter D20

DAY twenty "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" (I Samuel 30:6, NKJV).

You may have heard me say," encouragement is
the pouring in of courage" in times of fear and
distress. So during a time of struggle, David
encouraged himself in the Lord. He was like Paul,
speaking to the Corinthians, was without strength
but knew where he received strength.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that
we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we
had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who
raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust

that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be
given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many"
(2 Corinthians 1:8-11, NKJV).

1) Burdened beyond measure, a weight that could not be determined
2) above strength, a weight that was more than human strength could sustain
3) despaired even life, thoughts that death was better than life
4) Do not trust in yourself, but in God; encountering God always makes the difference

a. Paul validates His power by stating the reality of the resurrection
b. Who has delivered – from sin
c. Is delivering – from ourselves
d. Will yet deliver us still – from the wrath to come

Paul drew strength from the encounter with God, and courage poured in, so David sang to
encourage himself in the Lord courage was poured in. So let courage be poured in as we walk
together over the next 30 days to encourage ourselves in the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good, Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight
yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to

the Lord, trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your
righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently
for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings

wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes
harm" (Psalm 37:3-8, NKJV).

Identify areas where God is revealing Himself to you and spend some time meditating on how
He expresses His love to you. Now, ask Him to show you who you might pray for today.

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