David – Encourage Yourself! - the man after God’s own heart Chris Gnanakan, D.Min, Ph.D, D.D Executive Director, Outreach To Asia Nationals Professor of Theology & Global Studies, Liberty University

1. David’s family: the forgotten boy! A nobody in obscurity: when dad forgets & thinks you won’t count God sought & found His shepherd-king, a man after His own heart Integrity in his heart, skillfulness in hands, gentleness in all dealings How to encourage yourself? Maintain clean hands & a pure heart! Key? his thirst for, trust in, waiting on, drawing strength from God Count your many blessings; let God’s goodness & mercy follow you

2. David’s Giants & ‘the Lord’s name’! Facing Goliath the intimidator: Who’s battle? It’s not about me! David’s prep (faith & courage); God’s victory (Israel encouraged!) True ID: the name of the Lord; Sovereign God vs secular forces Facing Saul, marked-for-death, shows patience/restraint Moses? David: music ministry, make melody in your heart unto the Lord Work on intimacy with the Almighty; Yes, I can ‘wait to be king’!

3. David’s friend: a ‘gift’ to treasure People’s praise makes Saul murderous; David runs for life Who to trust? Needed: I’ll be there for you! ‘blood is thicker?’ True friend, life’s mission partner, die-hard, non-threatened Hurting people hurt people, grace begets grace, vengeance is.. ? David & the cripple: loyal love lives on; giving life to a dead dog

4. David’s House-hold vs. Solomon’s temple King of the UK, disheartened David is not able to build God a house Doing God’s will, God’s way, from the heart NB Its all about… God! God’s other, better plan = Go encourage Solomon, “Yes, I > he can!” Mentor-mentee: I’ll be there for you: equip, empower, enlist others Solomon’s success = David’s; today, many instructors, few ‘fathers’

5. David’s Heart: how to encourage yourself in..? Losing your support: 1) Michal 2) job 3) Samuel 4) Jonathan 5) ID There’s no place like Ziglag! Amalekites burn, family captive, stone Hopeless, all lost, no strength to weep, ‘but encouraged himself in.. Trails, tests, temptation: only when God is all I have, God’s all I need Take heart: What ‘the Lord’ has done for you, doing in and thru you for others and is going to do for your house(hold) in years to come! Jesus Messiah… Maranatha!