David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 AMP
David was a worshiper. He praised God morning, noon, and night. He praised Him in the good times and he praised Him in the tough times. He trusted completely in the Lord at all times and in all things – especially when he was under pressure. He reminded himself of what God had promised; he reminded himself of what God had already done; he reminded himself of what he was expecting God to do.
In you, O Lord, do I put my trust and confidently take refuge; let me never be put to shame or confusion! 2 Deliver me in Your righteousness and cause me to escape; bow down Your ear to me and save me! 3 Be to me a rock of refuge in which to dwell, and a sheltering stronghold to which I may continually resort, which You have appointed to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man. 5 For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. 6 Upon You have I leaned and relied from birth; You are He Who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You. 7 I am as a wonder and surprise to many, but You are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth shall be filled with Your praise and with Your honor all the day. Psalms 71:1-8 AMP
When David was being persecuted and hunted down, accused and abused, he did not trust the arm of the flesh; he did not trust his own wisdom or ability; but he went straight to God and entreated Him to move on his behalf and protect and deliver him. David believed that God was his Rock and he expected God to be his Rock. He put all his hope, trust and confidence in God. God was his hope and the source of his confidence. David recognized God’s hand upon him from his birth. The Lord, alone, was his benefactor – the One who met his every need. Even though people did not think much of David, God did, and God promoted and blessed David in the eyes of the nation. It’s not about who you are – it’s about who is in you and for you that counts.
So many people allow what other people think of them to shape how they see themselves. You will stay in bondage and live within limits so long as you fear man and man’s opinions. You will have a breakthrough when you realize that no man can promote you and no man can hold you back! You need to find out what God says about you and break free from the limits you have set for yourself because of other people’s limitations and negative expectations.
God is your benefactor! He will bless you, protect you, provide for you, and promote you. When other people see you rise up in wisdom and into prominence and into prosperity, they might be shocked and amazed. You may be the last person they expected to see raised up into greatness – you may be a wonder and a surprise to many people – but it is because you have made God your strong refuge; because you put your hope and trust in Him alone. He is the source of your confidence. Most people never do great things because they believe they can’t. Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Some people say, “You are what you eat.” The Bible says, “You are what you think!”
How do you break free from the limitations of mediocrity and the bondage of self-doubt? Not just by believing in yourself. You need to place your trust in God alone. He is your hope and your confidence. When you press in to Him, when you stand on His word – receiving it for yourself, believing it and acting on it – you will begin to rise up and do things and say things that you would never have dared before. Your confidence is not in the arm of the flesh, but in God Almighty! He is the One who will lift you up; He is the One who will place your feet on the rock; He is the One who will promote you and cause you to succeed. You need to humble your heart before Him and don’t allow pride in your success to puff you up. Never forget your benefactor; never neglect to give Him the glory and the honor; never take the credit for yourself; and He will continue to be your strong refuge. He will continue to cause you to succeed in everything you put your hand to!
