This document is a sermon given at Gospel Baptist Tabernacle on January 13, 2013. It discusses the story in 1 Samuel 30 where David and his men return from battling the Philistines to find that the Amalekites had attacked Ziklag and taken all the women and children captive, including David's wives. The men want to stone David, but he encourages himself in the Lord. The sermon encourages the congregation to encourage themselves in the Lord during times of trouble by remembering His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness as described in Psalm 103.

1. Pure Heart Music
Ministries will be with
us this Sunday, January
13, 2013 to lead in
worship at 11:00 AM www.pureheartmusicministries.org
Gospel Baptist Tabernacle
781 Salem Road, Flintstone, GA 30741
www.rossvillechurch.com
January 13, 2013
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2. The Philistines are gathered
against Israel at
Jezreel, where God has
already said that Israel will
be defeated.
David is with the Philistines.
The Philistine warlords have
demanded that Achish send
David back to Ziklag,
because they don’t trust him.
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3. 1 Samuel 30 1 And it came to
pass, when David and his men
were come to Ziklag on the
third day, that the Amalekites
had invaded the south, and
Ziklag, and smitten
Ziklag, and burned it with
fire;
What do we know about the
Amalekites?
Saul was commanded to utterly
destroy them, and did not.
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4. 2 And had taken the wo-
men captives, that were
therein: they slew not
any, either great or
small, but carried them
away, and went on their
way.
What a tragedy to come home to!
Why do you think that they killed no one?
The Hand of God
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5. Many would say, “Why did God allow this to
happen in the first place?”
“He could have prevented it.”
Psalm 34 19 Many are the afflictions of the right-
eous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Afflictions, trials, and tribulations serve a purpose
in the lives of God’s people.
They prepare us for great service
in God’s Kingdom.
They make us strong, build our faith, and make us
humble that we may trust in our God. 5

6. 3-4 So David and his men
came to the
city, and, behold, it was
burned with fire; and their
wives, and their sons, and Psalm 126:5-6 (TLB)
their daughters, were taken Those who sow tears
captives. Then David and shall reap joy.
the people that were with Yes, they go out
him lifted up their voice weeping, carrying seed
and wept, until they had no for sow-ing, and return
more power to weep. singing, carrying their
sheaves.
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7. The Lord sees our tears and they touch His Heart.
Don’t be afraid to cry in times of sorrow.
The Lord will hear and answer your heart’s cry.
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8. 5 And David's two wives
were taken
captives, Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess, and Abigail the
wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
David’s loss was as great
as anyone’s.
But we will see a different response.
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9. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people
spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the
people was grieved, every man for his sons and for
his daughters:
Sometimes grief will turn to anger.
That is not the best response, but it is human.
Who among us can say? “I have always
responded to all situations just right.”
David shows us the better response.
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10. 6b
but David encouraged himself in the LORD his
God.
Of course they wept upon returning to find their
homes burned and their families taken captive.
But after they wept the men were bitter toward
David and spoke of stoning him to death –
Even though his loss was as great as theirs.
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11. 6b
but David encouraged himself in the LORD his
God.
His men weren’t going to encourage him;
They wanted to stone him.
So he encouraged himself – but not in himself.
In the Lord.
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12. When we depend on family or friends for
encouragement and happiness
We will often be disappointed.
But the Lord will never fail us.
Go to His Word.
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13. Psalm 103 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all
that is within me, bless His Holy Name. 2 Bless the
LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Talk to yourself.
Remind yourself of God’s Goodness.
Rehearse all the benefits of serving God.
Rehearse the good things He has done for you.
Psalm 150 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise
Him according to His excellent greatness.
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14. 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all
thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from des-
truction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness
and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth
with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like
the eagle's. Psalm 103
Only the Lord can do these things.
Remind yourself!
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15. 6-9 The LORD executeth righteousness and judg-
ment for all that are oppressed. He made known
His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of
Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always
chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.Psalm 103
Stick close to the Lord.
If you have strayed from His side, return.
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16. 10-12 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor
rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the
Heaven is high above the earth, so great is His
mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east
is from the west, so far hath He removed our
transgressions from us. Psalm 103
To remind ourselves of God’s Goodness
is to encourage ourselves in the Lord.
You may be reaping some trouble that you
have sown, but if you love the Lord,
Trouble will end; fellowship will be restored.
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17. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD
pitieth them that fear Him. 14 For He knoweth our
frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103
Our weakness never surprises the Lord.
He knows us.
He doesn’t forget that we are but dust.
When we mess up, God is not shocked.
He knew what we would do before we did.
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18. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of
the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth
over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall
know it no more. Psalm 103
This life is short; we won’t be here long.
Hard times will end; good times are coming.
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19. 17 Butthe mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His
righteousness unto children's children; 18 To such as
keep His Covenant, and to those that remember His
Commandments to do them. Psalm 103
Such reminders are how we can encourage
ourselves in the Lord.
Don’t rehearse your troubles, as we are prone to do.
Count your blessings.
Praise God according to His excellent greatness.
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