An Encouraged Heart

Developing a Heart like God’s
An Encouraged Heart
1 Samuel 22

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We have a God-given desire to do great things for God. Too often discouragement kills this desire.

David Knew About Discouragement

The Cave – A Little Background

Sooner or later everybody logs some time in the cave!

In the cave you can begin to wonder if God has lost track of you, has forgotten you.

God does some of His best work in caves!

David Also Knew About Encouragement

“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)

How to Find Encouragement in the Lord

1. Pour Out your heart to the Lord (Psalm 142)

A MASKIL OF DAVID, WHEN HE WAS IN THE CAVE. A PRAYER.

“With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.' Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.” (Psalm 142)

• Be Honest
• Be Specific

How honest is your conversation with the Lord?

2. Be open to Receive encouragement from others

• Family (22:1)
• Friends (22:3-5; 23:16)
• Others (25:32-35)

Who do you encourage? Who encourages you? How?

3. Be careful to Resist Temptation (1 Samuel 24)

• There is a connection between the cave and temptation
• It is so easy to rationalize a Shortcut

What shortcuts are you tempted to take today?

4. Seek and obey God’s Direction (30:7-8)

“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)

• Discouragement destroys Hope
• Where there is hope in the future, there is Power in the present
• Sometimes you just have to get off your Lament and do something

Are you seeking God’s direction for your life? Are you obeying God’s counsel for your life?

5. Find ultimate Refuge in the Lord

“In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!” (Psalm 31:1)

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)

• Sometimes all you can do is trust God, not in the props but in God alone
• David declared his Declaration of Dependence

Do you trust more in your God or in your props?

Jesus also knows about caves!

In caves God brings Dead Things To Life!

God does some of His best work in caves!

Making It Personal

• Where have I experienced “the cave” before in my life? How did I find encouragement in the Lord?
• How can I find encouragement in the Lord for the challenges of today? What do I need more of in my life? (Review questions above)
• Who around me does God want to use me to be an encourager in their lives?