WHAT TO DO WHEN SUFFERING SETS IN

"WHAT TO DO WHEN SUFFERING SETS IN"
1Sa 30: 1-6)

Intro:
It is such an amazing tribute; when we see those who are enduring great trials show their faith in the sight of such distress. We see those who are down and seemingly out lift their heads and cry out, "I Will Not Stay Down!"
When we think of Job, we most likely think of his suffering. We think of all that he lost, and his reaction to it. However, there was another man who suffered quite a devastating blow. It was King David. In 1Sa 30: 6, we find that David's family has been taken hostage, and that the people of the land want to kill David. However, it is in this time when David does something remarkable. We are told, "And David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."
This morning, I want us to consider the ways in which David encouraged or strengthened himself. I want us to look at the psalms, which David penned during some of his most difficult times. Let us take note of his actions when suffering came calling.

I DAVID CALLED FOR DELIVERANCE (Psa 59: 1-2)

1. David, who is being pursued by Saul, cries for the Lord to do 2 things during this difficult time in his life.
A. Psa 59: 1 "deliver me from my enemies"
B. Psa 59: 1 ""Defend me from those who rise up against me."
C. For both of these requests, David cries, "Oh my God!
D. Notice David doesn't call upon his own power, but on the power of his God.
2. David trusted in the Lord to lead him safely home, and you and I should do the same!
A. Ro 10: 13 "for whomever calls upon the Lord shall be saved."
B. Here Paul is referring to spiritual matters, but it could just as easily apply to matters of the flesh.
C. Heb 13: 5 when we put our lives in his hands, we will win regardless of the outcome!
D. Rom: 39 why? Because he loves us more than we will ever know!

II DAVID CALLED FOR MERCY (Psa 56: 1-4)

1. Again, David is in trouble, yet it is mercy from God that he seeks, and not mercy from his persecutors.
A. Psa 56: 1 David knows that he will find no mercy from his enemies.
B. He understands that they seek to tare him down, not lift him up.
2. However, David understands, just as we need to understand, that God longs to extend mercy to us in spite of our wrongdoing!
A. Lk 22: 60 though we often deny him, he longs to confess us!
B. Jn 13: 3-9 though we often forsake his service, he has ever served you and I!
C. Heb 12: 1-2 though we often spurn his sacrifice, he loved us enough to make it!

III DAVID PRAISED THE LORD AT ALL TIMES (Psa 63: 1-8)

1. Here we find David pursued by his own son, yet he does something amazing!
A. Psa 63: 4 "Thus I will bless you while I live: I will lift up my hands in your name."
B. During this hardest of all occasions, David takes time to praise God.
C. Not rejoicing that his son wanted to kill him, but that God was who he was.
2. There is still a need for you and I to do this today.
A. " Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
B. You might think that the person who spoke this quote is someone who knows nothing of true suffering.
C. However, the speakers name was Mrs. Helen Keller.
D. Born both Blind and deaf, nevertheless she considered suffering to be a steppingstone to personal achievement.
E. James 1: 2 carry with it the same idea.
F. Take time to praise God regardless of your lot in life, because through suffering God will reveal something very special in you, by revealing how very special he truly is!
By Rusty Hilliard