Strengthened By The Hand Of The Lord | 1 Samuel 23:15-18

Do you need to be encouraged by the hand of the Lord?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in Chapter 23 of 1 Samuel. I've titled this chapter "Your Way Or The Lord's Way."

Yesterday, we learned that Saul would hunt David down every day of his life. But in this not-so-delightful news, encouragement is about to come his way in the form of a message from a messenger. Let's listen in to 1 Samuel 23:15-18 which reads:

David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. — 1 Samuel 23:15-18

In this chapter, the word "hand" is mentioned eight times. If you have your Scripture Journal, it would be worth scanning the chapter and circling the occurrences of this word. You will see that this word signals potential power shifts in the story, from the Philistines to Saul, to Keilah, and to David. In this particular instance, Jonathan has come to strengthen David's hand in the Lord. He has come to David in one of the low moments of his life to communicate that everyone knows something that David might forget in the emotional distress of his trial—that God's will is for David to be king, and in the meantime, he needs to hang on to the hand of the Lord.

I cannot recount how many times believers have encouraged me at precisely the right moment when I am at an emotional low. Some of you have encouraged me in the Lord with your texts, calls, emails, and gifts of generosity. Without knowing it, there have been times when some of you acted at just the right time to strengthen my hand in the Lord. I also know that there have been times when my messages and devotionals have done the same for you.

So, let's keep it going. Encourage someone's hand in the Lord today—as Jonathan did for David. Sometimes, a timely prompting of spiritual encouragement gives someone the courage to see beyond the present circumstances and continue trusting in the promises of the Lord.

#StrengthInTheLord, #EncourageOneAnother, #GodsPromises

Ask This:
Who has been a "Jonathan" in your life, strengthening your hand in the Lord when you struggled?
How can you do the same for someone else this week?
Do This:
Encourage someone in the Lord.

Pray This:
Lord, thank You for the people who strengthen me in my times of need and remind me of Your promises. Help me to be a source of encouragement to others, lifting their hearts toward You in their moments of struggle. Amen.

Play This:
Hand Of God.