1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) 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.
In 1 Samuel 30:1-8, we see that David had to deal with both his enemies and his own men, who were angry with him and wanted to stone him. It must have been emotionally taxing for David. He must have felt trapped and troubled, and anxious for his wives, who had been taken captive. We too face situations that cause stress in our lives. Perhaps we have been taken captive in our thoughts by oppression or obsession, or are going through a tribulation.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
David drew strength from the Lord by entering God’s presence, waiting upon Him, and adopting the posture of a learner who listens for His instruction. This is a picture of shedding self-reliance and choosing to depend wholly on God. Like an eagle in a season of renewal, stripped of what once enabled it to survive and soar, we may find ourselves in a vulnerable place where we must trust both the process and the outcome. Yet as the eagle is renewed and strengthened to fly higher and farther, so those who wait upon the Lord will receive renewed strength. David fully depended on the Lord as he spent time refocusing on God rather than on the issue at hand. He chose to place his trust in God, addressed his fear, and regained faith that God is for him, not against him.
1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
We need to learn to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, like David, by disciplining ourselves to be in God’s presence. We need to cultivate the spiritual habit of worshipping God, reading His Word, and praying in the understanding and in the Spirit.
We are more blessed in the New Testament because of what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. Not only do we have the full counsel of the Word of God, but we can also stand on God’s promises; we have the Holy Spirit praying through us and interceding for us in accordance with God’s will, and Jesus is interceding for us at the right hand of the Heavenly Father! God speaks to us; the Holy Spirit will counsel, comfort, and exhort us. Our prayer to God is one way for us to rely completely on Him as our source of strength and an expression of our faith in Him.
What we need most when we are under stress is to be edified and strengthened in the inner man. Being strengthened in the heart enables us to withstand external pressure.
Reflection: Who or what do you usually rely on when you are under stress? In which areas of your life is God inviting you to deepen your trust in Him?
Sermon Series: 2026 CG Campaign – Up! (Part 2)
从主得着力量
撒母耳记上 30:6 大卫甚是焦急，因众人为自己的儿女苦恼，说要用石头打死他。大卫却倚靠耶和华他的神，心里坚固。
在撒母耳记上30:1-8中，我们看到大卫不仅要面对仇敌的攻击，还要承受自己部下的埋怨与愤怒，他们甚至想用石头打死他。这对大卫而言，无疑是极大的情绪压力。他一定感到进退两难、忧心忡忡，也为被掳去的妻子深感焦虑。今天，我们同样会面对各种令人倍感压力的处境。也许我们的思想被压制、忧虑或某种执念所掳掠；也许我们正经历患难、困境或人生的低谷。
以赛亚书 40:31 但那等候耶和华的，必重新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏。
大卫之所以能够重新得力，是因为他来到神的同在中，专心等候祂，并以谦卑受教的心聆听神的指引。这是一种放下自我倚靠、全然依靠神的生命姿态。这也如同鹰经历更新的过程。当鹰进入蜕变时期，它必须放下过去赖以生存、飞翔的能力，看似软弱无助，却必须信任整个更新的过程以及最终的结果。同样地，我们在人生某些阶段也会进入一个看似脆弱、无能为力的时期，只能单单倚靠神。然而，当更新完成后，鹰将拥有更强壮的羽翼，飞得更高、更远；照样，那些等候耶和华的人，也必重新得着力量。大卫没有一直把焦点放在眼前的问题上，而是花时间重新定睛于神。他选择相信神站在自己这一边，而不是敌对自己；他面对自己的恐惧，将信心重新建立在神身上，因此再次得着力量。
哥林多前书 14:4 说方言的是造就自己，做先知讲道的乃是造就教会。
我们也需要学习像大卫一样，在主里面使自己刚强。这意味着我们要操练自己常常住在神的同在中，培养敬拜神、阅读神的话语，以及用悟性和圣灵祷告的属灵习惯。
新约时代的我们，比旧约时代的人更蒙福，因为耶稣已经在十字架上成就了一切。我们不仅拥有完整的圣经启示，可以坚定站立在神的应许上；我们还有圣灵住在我们里面，按着神的旨意替我们代求；同时，耶稣也正在天父的右边不断为我们代求。神今天仍然向我们说话，圣灵会引导、安慰、劝勉并帮助我们。因此，向神祷告不仅是我们支取力量的途径，更是我们完全倚靠祂、信靠祂的具体表达。
当我们处于压力之下时，我们最需要的，不是环境立刻改变，而是里面的人被建立、被坚固。当我们的内心得着力量，我们便能够承受外在环境所带来的各种压力。
默想：当你面对压力时，你通常最先倚靠的是谁？或是什么？在你生命的哪些领域，神正在邀请你更深地学习信靠祂？
讲章系列：UP! 细胞小组活动 2026 第二部分