“I   need   encouragement,  you   need   encouragement, we   ALL   need

encouragement !” The words of the speaker wafted on, and I little dreamed how

these introductory words would stick in my mind for over fifty years!

I can see now after a span of years, that to encourage  others is one of the best

gifts that God has given to each one of us. No matter how old or how young we

are, we can all say nice things to others, especially those in our own family.

David, in spite of knowing God so well, is a classic example of one who

needed encouragement. Jonathan and David were best friends. They had clicked

right from the start of their first meeting in Saul’s court . Jonathan liked David very

much, with his youthful freshness and good looks that took everyone’s eye. As

they talked together that they both felt the other was a special friend. They

thought alike and Jonathan loved the way David appreciated God, while David felt

he had someone he could trust in the dangerous court of King Saul.

Even more than Jonathan looking after David’s needs, was his appreciation of

God’s plans for David’s future. He not only knew that God’s plan was for David to

be the next king, but he was happy about it and planned that he would be second

in command. When David was on the run for his life, he would meet him as often

as he could, and encourage him in the Lord looking to the future when he would

work with David as King. They were so sure of this that they made a covenant

(promise) together before the Lord promising that they would always keep it.

But the time came when they were separated, to see each other no more, and

David was left without the comfort of Jonathan’s encouragement.

Perhaps you are missing friends you once had and now you are separated from

them.  What can you do?  What did David do?

David told  God all about it. Things couldn’t have looked blacker for him. His friend

was gone, his enemies were still after him, and they had taken his wife and family

captive and his own men had turned against him.

We have times when we feel like this. We all have enemies of fears, doubts,

and other problems, even not feeling well; these enemies  seem about to swamp

us at times. David may have wondered where God was in all this mess…..where

were His promises now? However could he get out of all this?

But he took himself to task, and sang these songs….”Why are you so cast down O my soul? Hope

in God!”

“Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart”.

“My heart is fixed O God”, he would say, “I will sing and give You praise in spite of

my enemies!”

So we too, can fix our hearts and minds on the Lord and not be afraid of bad

things. We can think about Him and count our blessings. Think of all we can be

thankful for in spite of our circumstances and we  will be encouraged with a fresh

outlook on things. It is surprising what a difference a thankful spirit makes, and

being thankful for the outcome of our prayers BEFORE we see the answer will

give the peace of God that passes all understanding.