Key scripture – “…Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah …” (1 Samuel 22:5).

David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam, because he was fleeing from Saul, who was trying to kill him. Many of life’s down-and-out had come and joined David’s army and David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.” (1 Samuel 22:1-4). Then, God’s prophet, Gad, came to David and told him that he must leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah. (1 Samuel 22:5). Judah means “praise.”

When life beats down on us and we get to the place where we want to hide in a cave, God often places people around us who prod us into moving in the right direction. He does not want us to remain in the place of discouragement. He wants us to move into the land of praise.

Are you going through a very difficult time right now? Does it seem to be dragging on and on with no change? Do you want to retreat to a cave and forget about pressing on? Are you discouraged because of it? I am saying to you today, “You must keep moving forward! Do not give up and do not give in, keep clinging to God and His promises. Put all your weight on His promises. There are too many who are depending on you in the Kingdom.”

God is preparing each one of us, including you, to be the vessel He wants to use in the life of another person, but we will never be that vessel if we give up and hide in our cave of discouragement. Not only must we keep moving, we must move into a new realm. Our attitude must move from discouragement to praise and gratitude.

“He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners – to comfort all who mourn. … a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

It is only when we move past discouragement to praise and gratitude that we begin living above our problems. Make a decision today to go into the land of Judah and start praising and worshiping God.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, no matter what I face today give me a spirit of praise and gratitude. I will say to myself, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:5-6). I want to live in the land of Judah, the land of praise. Help me to see my problems through Your eyes. Help me to always remember that even though I do not see what You are doing right now You are working on my problem and doing a thousand things behind the scenes that I do not even know about. I will not give up and retreat because I trust You. When I start to get discouraged today I will praise You by saying to myself over and over, HALLELUJAH, which in Hebrew means, “Praise The Lord!” In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.