Rewards for obedience

Psalm 199:165 (KJV) reads,

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

And Proverbs 16:7 (KJV) reads,

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

And then Jesus promises (John 14:23, KJV),

If a man ... will keep my words ... my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The message is consistent. We should obey God, and in doing so, we can expect his love and comfort. And that obedience should be an all-consuming focus. God says (Isaiah 66:2, KJV),

To this man will I look ... him that ... trembleth at my word.

All bible translations render that word as "tremble," which seems to indicate more than just a passing familiarity with God's word. It should enter our heart and occupy our thoughts and concerns. We should actually fear falling into disobedience. And we can reach that level of "trembling" by praying ... without ceasing! 

God will answer

The entire bible emphasizes that, when we seek God, he will answer. Some examples (all from the KJV),

Call unto me, and I will answer thee. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (Jeremiah 29:12)

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him. (Psalm 91:15)

He also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:19)

If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. (1 John 5:14)

Note that God does not ask that we do anything complicated to get his attention. We don't have to accomplish anything or demonstrate any particular talent. We simple have to "call" upon him, and he promises to answer. And that "calling" to him means praying ... without ceasing!
 

Encouraged himself in the Lord

1 Samuel 30 finds David and his army suffering military defeat to the Amalekites. David's family is taken captive and his people contemplate stoning him. He and his companions "wept until they had no more power to weep." (verse 5, KJV).

Yet, verse 6 (KJV) finds Davis shifting gears, at least mentally,

But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

The rest of the chapter tells of David seeking God's advice, and subsequently securing victory.

Many of us find David's frame of mind very difficult to emulate. But that's what God asks us to do. We should seek his help and "encourage" ourselves in him. And let us keep in mind God's promise put forth in Proverbs 16:7 (KJV),

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.