Be Faithful in the Tough Times

"During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim."2 Samuel 23:13It is relatively easy to trust God when everything is going right, but not so much when things are difficult. However, you can be different just like David’s mighty men.King David was hiding in the Cave of Adullam from the jealous King Saul who was attempting to take David’s life. The army of the Philistines was camping all around the area that led to the cave. However, these three mighty men found a way to get through and get to their king. They were faithful to David when it was difficult to be faithful to David. When someone is as committed as the three determine to do something, that person is virtually unstoppable. Nothing was going to prevent them from getting to their king.Do you have that kind of unstoppable commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ? Would you serve Him even if it meant danger or even death? That is the kind of commitment God is demanding of each follower of His where comfort and convenience aren’t even considered. Their fellowship with David was worth all the effort, danger, and trouble they went through. You will find that fellowshipping with Jesus is worth any price you must pay. 

5 Lessons on Being Faithful in the Tough Times

1. Evaluate the kind of commitment you have to Jesus Christ. Do you allow anyone or anything to stand in your way of total commitment? If so, confess that and renew your commitment to be a “anywhere, anytime, anyplace” follower of Jesus Christ.
2. Determine those things that tend to stop you in your total commitment to Christ. Name them, identify them, confess them, and be aware the next time Satan throws one of these in your path. Is there anything more important to you than your commitment to Jesus Christ?
3. When you encounter a seemingly impossible situation, pray, fast, and trust God to find a way through. Keep doing that until something happens. Use the PUSH Prayer—Pray Until Something Happens. There are always Philistines camped around God’s will.
4. Read stories of faithful Christians of the past, such as George Mueller, D. L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, and Jim Elliott. This will greatly encourage you to keep going
5. Find a promise from God and stand on it. For example, Luke 1:37: “For nothing will beimpossible with God.”

Hard times are inescapable. You are either coming out of a difficult time, in a difficult time, or about to enter a difficult time. Commit today that regardless, you will be faithful and choose to obey God and leave the results to Him. (From the Devotional 31 Lessons From David’s Mighty Men).