What To Do In The Day Of Trouble

WHAT TO DO IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

(August 2006)

OPENING TEXT: (Psalm 50:15).

The Lord says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Are you living in the day of trouble? Do you feel discouraged, distressed, depressed? Are you weary? Feel like giving up? If so, then I have good news for you today!

Jesus said, “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:33, The Message).

THE DAY OF TROUBLE PART ONE:

“1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 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.

7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor… (1 Samuel 30:1-10).

BACKGROUND TO THE DAY OF TROUBLE:

v.1-2 - the city Ziklag was attacked and burned and the women and children were taken captive

v.3 - David and his men came to the city, weary from 3 days journey

v.4 - David and his men cried and wept loudly until they had no strength left

v.6 “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.”

How did the people respond to the day of trouble?

- David was distressed

- The people were grieved and cast blame and spoke of stoning David

- (BIG) BUT: David strengthened himself in the Lord his God

- How do YOU respond when you’re in trouble?

1. WHEN YOU’RE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD!

- Don’t get distressed, grieved, blame others.

- Sometimes when you go through trouble, you don’t have people to encourage you.

- “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.” (Psalm 42:5).

2. WHEN YOU’RE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, CALL UPON GOD.

v.8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop?”

- God said, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”

- David knew the encouraging truth of Psalm 50:15. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

- David also wrote: “1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:1-3).

- Same theme: Call to the Lord in your trouble, He will deliver you, you will glorify Him!

3. WHEN YOU’RE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, RISE UP AND RUN!

v.9-10 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.