SURVIVING HARD TIMES (7)

TOPIC: SURVIVING HARD TIMES (7)
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 23:1-28
MEMORY VERSE: “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. ” – 1 Samuel 18:14

Let us consider the remaining four strategies to surviving hard times: seventh is DON’T BE BITTER. We can learn many other principles from David’s survival of the bad times. One of the great dangers of the hard times is that our hearts will be filled with bitterness. It is important to keep the “root of bitterness” from “springing up” in our hearts (Hebrews 12:15). If Esau overcame his, you too can. He felt cheated by his brother Jacob and he was ready to kill him. Jacob ran to Padanaram and after twenty years, he returned home and on his way back, Esau met and show kindness to his brother. Esau forget Jacob’s misdeeds and at a glance (Genesis 27:41; 33:4,5).

Eighth strategy is DO BE FORGIVING. The way to escape bitterness is to learn to be forgiving. Let all bitterness be put away from you, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other (Ephesians 4:31, 32). Number nine is DO UNDERSTAND THAT NOTHING LASTS FOREVER. You must know that nothing lasts forever, whether good times or bad times. At a later time, David a fugitive became the King of Israel and reign for forty years. You will come out of whatever challenge you are strong and better. Whatever affliction or challenge in your life is to make you a better person, learn the lesson and become expert in handling life’s challenges.

The last strategy to consider is DO UNDERSTAND THAT GOOD CAN COME FROM BAD TIMES. Never forget Romans 8:28; grip it tightly. Consider what God was doing in David’s life during those dark days: God was continuing to shape David, preparing him to be king. Taking care of sheep was the undergraduate course. Fleeing for his life was the graduate course. We cannot know God’s plans and purposes, but it is possible that one thing God was doing was removing all the things David depended on (all the “crutches” he leaned on), to teach David to depend solely on Him. We have followed David as he lost his home and Michal’s love; as he saw Samuel for the last time; as he parted tearfully from his friend, Jonathan; as he was separated from God’s tabernacle. We heard his plaintive cry in Psalm 142: “No one cares for my soul”.

Beloved, I am not saying you should desire the hard times to come rather I am saying that, when they do come, our attitude toward them can make all the difference in the world. We can come out of those times bitter or better, shattered or shaped. Let us try to keep a positive attitude when the bad times come, because good can come from them. Learn from David, and also from Joseph, forgive people who had wrong you in the past and know that whatever that’s happening around you presently is to make you and for your own good.

Word Affirmation: “Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel." - Psalm 20:4 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“The way to escape bitterness is to learn to be forgiving.”

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