And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
1 Samuel 30:7-9
D. L. Moody told of a time in his ministry when he was very discouraged in the lack of results from his work. One of his Sunday school teachers suggested he look at the life of Noah saying, “Now, if you never studied that carefully, you ought to do it, for I cannot tell you what a blessing it has been to me.” Moody said that as he read again the familiar story of Noah building the ark he was reminded that Noah was faithful for more than one hundred years without seeing any results at all. Moody concluded, “I made up my mind then, that, God helping me, I would never get discouraged. I would do the best I could, and leave the result with God, and it has been a wonderful help to me.”
When we grasp that God is responsible for the results and we are only responsible for obedience, it lifts a great weight from our shoulders. No matter how heavy our burdens may be, God is there. He understands the pain that we feel and He is there for us, inviting us to come to Him and cast our burdens on Him. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8). God is not taken by surprise when we are tired or discouraged. He does not condemn us but offers us grace and comfort so that we can keep going.
