In the thirtieth chapter of I Samuel it is related that at a time of great distress "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." Though still in early manhood, David had had ample proof that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," as he confidently declares in the forty-sixth Psalm.

The narrative records that, upon returning from an expedition, David and his men found that their families had been carried away, their goods stolen, and the city burned. In their grief David's men threatened to stone him, though he was in no way to blame for their plight. Then it was that David "encouraged himself in the Lord his God." He earnestly asked God for guidance, and was led to follow after his enemies with his men. As a result of obeying this divine counsel, they recovered all that had been taken from them. Thus encouragement in God, good, proved practical.

Possibly David's prayer at that time took the form of some of the Psalms which have since encouraged, comforted, strengthened, and healed countless numbers. In "Heroes and Hero Worship" Carlyle says, "David's life and history, as written for us in those Psalms of his, I consider to be the truest emblem ever given of a man's moral progress and warfare here below." Certain it is that, more than mere literary productions of the highest order, they were spiritual nourishment, first strengthening and sustaining the Psalmist himself.

Many testimonies as to the efficacy of trusting in God in times of trouble are given at Christian Science testimony meetings. When we seek to overcome difficulties through the application of what we have learned of Christian Science, what are we doing but encouraging ourselves in the power of God, good? As in the Psalms, so in the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, are to be found strong affirmations of the power of good and equally strong denials of the false claims of evil to power and place.

Young people who are studying Christian Science, either at home or in the Christian Science Sunday School, are learning that at all times good is present and available, and this knowledge of the allness of God, good, when applied understandingly to their problems, will banish the pretense of evil and establish harmonious and right conditions. They are seeing the proof of this fact in their experiences in the home, at school, at play, and at work. Also, they are hearing from fellow students of Christian Science of similar victories due to righteous thinking and living.

To dwell gratefully in thought on such experiences, when facing new situations of difficulty, gives one courage and confidence in good. And to share accounts of these experiences with others at a suitable time often gives practical encouragement where it is greatly needed. Christian Scientists need never remain mentally inactive in the presence of seeming distress and woe, for they are learning that only good is real and enduring. They can always give practical encouragement where needed. In the note prefacing the final chapter of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy it is stated that the testimonies of healing republished there from The Christian Science Journal and Christian Science Sentinel are "for the assurance and encouragement of the reader" (p. 600). This was a loving provision of our Leader, who knew in what need of good cheer and encouragement the world is, and that the understanding of Truth as it had been revealed to her could alone deliver it.

In reviewing David's experiences from the time of the first mention of him in the record, when, as a lad, he was summoned from caring for his father's sheep to be anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel, we find that he led an exceptionally varied and stirring life. He seems always to have been in the thick of danger, dissension, and warfare, whether of his own instigation or that of others. Though he called forth, from many, rare affection, loyalty, devotion, kindness, and honor, from others he encountered enmity, treachery, jealousy, opposition, persecution, and indignity. When wrong, he admitted his mistakes and repented. His prosperity, successes, talents, and victories he attributed wholly to God. For example, when, as a stripling armed with a sling, he implored King Saul to permit him to defend, single-handed, the troops of Israel against Goliath, the giant of the Philistines, he urged not his own ability, but the willingness of God to aid him, saying in conclusion, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." David came through these varied experiences safely, because he unfailingly looked to the right source for deliverance and guidance.

It may seem to some of us that we have an uncommon number of hard problems and trials. But how fortunate we are to have learned where to look for a sure remedy! On page 248 of Science and Health, after pointing out the ill effects of following lower patterns, Mrs. Eddy says, "To remedy this, we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way." When we may look to all-knowing Mind, all-powerful Truth, ever-operative Principle to help us in solving our problems, how foolish we should be to limit our outlook to mere human intelligence and material power!

Surely no one would dispute the wisdom of walking in the right direction, once we have discovered it. As we walk along life's pathway, we have for our guidance, assurance, and encouragement the achievement of the great Wayshower, Christ Jesus, who overcame every obstacle and proved that no form of error can withstand the power of Truth and Love.