Strengthen Yourself in the Lord - Dawn King

"But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6b

It was the last straw! I just wanted to lie on the floor in a puddle of despair and hope that Jesus would come soon. On top of fighting with my insurance company for over a year after my fire and losing my job, now the window air conditioning units we had stored in the shed did not fit in the windows of our newly rebuilt house. With our finances in disarray from the trials of the past year, I knew we could not buy new ones and I was worried how I’d survive the summer without air conditioning. My asthma does not handle the heat well.

David also felt like this. Arriving back home after being kicked out of the Philistines’ camp where he hid while Saul persued him, David finds that his entire city has been taken captive--including his wives and children. But, instead of allowing his grief to overwhelm him, David strengthens himself in the Lord. How? Maybe he remembered his epic battle with Goliath and how God guided the rock from his sling to the center of Goliath’s forehead.

When I’m feeling down, frustrated and like I can’t take it anymore, God reminds me to come up and trust Him. I have to. There is no earthly thing I can do right now to make my situation better. Nothing.

Instead of collapsing in a puddle of despair, I’ve been reminding myself of the times God has come through for me. We’ve received cash in the mail from an address in England during a long period of unemployment, miraculous provision of food, clothing, and shelter, and favor with those in authority to get our house rebuilt quickly. Remembering past times of trials and how God has solved the problem without my help, gives me hope for the future.

How about you? Have you listed the times that God has rescued you? Remind yourself of these times when you are facing impossible odds and overwhelming trials to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

Dawn King is freelance writer and a mom of seven. She is active in her local church and enjoys praying, reading, writing, and cooking. Her heart is to bring glory to the Lord and draw people to Him through His work in her life. Dawn is currently working on a Biblical historical novel. Read Dawn's devotions.

Salty Dough - Dawn King

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." Matthew 5:13

“Oh, it’s NASTY!” I said as I spit out the cinnamon pull-apart. I must have forgotten to put salt in the dough because it was completely without any flavor. As a popular TV chef once said, “Salt makes everything taste better.”

In bread, it is a key ingredient that makes the difference between a flavorful loaf and just a lump of flour and water. I was too embarrassed to bring them to the VBS brunch that morning.

The next day, at a Bible study, we read Matthew 5 and I decided to do some salty research. I found that the only way salt can lose its flavor is through dilution. Salt is a chemical bond that is very stable, so it can’t lose its flavor unless it becomes something else entirely.

In Jesus’ time and even in the Middle East today, salt is made from sea water. The water is evaporated, leaving the salt and minerals behind. If there are too many impurities in the rock leftover, it will not be salty at all. This unsalty “salt” would be used on roads and paths as gravel.

It is easy for righteousness and the Gospel message to become diluted in my life. When I allow my busy life to push Bible study and prayer aside, I dilute the flavor. My testimony is watered down when I talk too much about my problems instead of the God who is big enough to solve them. My spiritual discernment weakens when I allow myself to watch and listen to a media that contains questionable values.

My solution is to push through the busyness and immerse myself in Jesus and in His word. Then I too can flavor the world, drawing people to Him. I don’t want to be just a lump of bread and water; I want to be a savory loaf of bread, ready to feed the world the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Dawn King is freelance writer and a mom of seven. She is active in her local church and enjoys praying, reading, writing, and cooking. Her heart is to bring glory to the Lord and draw people to Him through His work in her life. Dawn is currently working on a Biblical historical novel.