"The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lions and the bear will rescue me from the Philistine!" I Samuel 17:37
David, a young lowly Shepherd boy with no military experience what-so-ever boldly stands before the King of great military success to say, "Don't worry about this Philistine, I'll go and fight him!" Saul tries to convince David that he could not defeat such a enemy. But David knows something Saul does not know. David knows Someone Saul does not know. David knows the power that it is his and the Source of that power. David also knows the battle that awaits him belongs to the LORD.
Oh how easier life would be if we adopt David's battle philosophy. We get caught up in our humanness and try to fight a battle that does not belong to us. David was confident in his approach to the King because he believed God for the victory. He did not need to consult friends, family, or experienced war veterans for his strategy. There was no need for a military map or to draw a battle plan. He knew God would give him the victory no matter what the odds against him were.
In this passage we see several truths about how we should approach a battle.
"The LORD who rescued me from......... and ......... will rescue me from..............." Now sing this victory song.
Oh how easier life would be if we adopt David's battle philosophy. We get caught up in our humanness and try to fight a battle that does not belong to us. David was confident in his approach to the King because he believed God for the victory. He did not need to consult friends, family, or experienced war veterans for his strategy. There was no need for a military map or to draw a battle plan. He knew God would give him the victory no matter what the odds against him were.
In this passage we see several truths about how we should approach a battle.
- David did not wear Saul's armor. The armor did not fit. Our defense will not come from someone else's experience.
- David gave God the victory before he ever went to the battlefield. He had seen the power of God and with confidence knew that victory would be his if he trusted God.
- David knew the victory was to bring God the glory. It is a dangerous thing to steal the glory of the Lord for our self.
- David ran toward the battle not from it. Our confidence and competence comes from the LORD.
- David used the enemy's weapon to complete the battle. (Goliath's sword) Sometimes, the very thing that we fear the most will be used the greatest to help us win our battle.
Are you battling something today? Are you trying to wear someone else's armor? Has He given you victory before? In a prayer to the LORD of Heaven's Armies fill in the blanks of today's key verse:
"The LORD who rescued me from......... and ......... will rescue me from..............." Now sing this victory song.
22 Comments:
Thank you Wendy for reminding us that we should put our trust in the Lord when we face difficult situations instead of running to seek counsel from people. And thank you for sharing that song with such a powerful message...God bless you!
Wendy I loved this post this morning! Thank you for the great message that our battles are not ours, they are the Lord's and with Him we do have victory. I am working through a Kay Arthur study called "Lord, Is it Warfare? Teach Me to Stand." I just started, but have already learned so much.
Hope you all have a great day! Blessings~
Such a blessing here again this morning Wendy...needful reminders as we 'fight the good fight of faith'.
One thing that has always stood out to me in this giant slaying happening is that "The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground." 1 Sam. 17:49.
Usually, if something hits you from the front, the force and impact sends you backwards. Goliath fell forward making it very obvious that the stone had nothing to do with his death, but God alone slayed the giant.
No giant can ever win against a BIG God. We have to continually measure the size of our 'giants' against the size of our God. He is always BIGGER!
Trusting Him as I face my 'giants' today. Placing my tiny stone in a sling to demonstrate my faith, and waiting on God's timing to bring my 'giant' down,
Joy
Wendy, I just read the P31 devo for today. Loved it! I know I have been too close to sin and really got burned. What a great reminder to flee from things that can trap us, even when it is hard to say no and to do.
Wendy, I was so blessed by the song you posted - I was singing loudly in my kitchen as I watched (at 6am). Thank you!
Your P31 devo was also a great reminder to change my path and move away from things that tempt me!
Praying for you Wendy and all the gals reading together this year!
Blessings to you all!
Sheryl in Amite, LA
Today's reading remains full of truths to apply to our own lives. I'm seeing more and more how much we can learn from the O.T. reading's. Wendy, you've helped me to look at scripture from a different point of view: to apply them to my own life. Thank you so much, dear sister!
Saul started out humble, giving God the credit after his first victory. But, it was clear how prideful he became as he gained more and more power.
Christ inside us...seeking Him...following Him, and obeying Him...By doing this we allow Him to take over our selfish behaviors.
Saul became so self-centered and overly self-concerned about matters; he was a self-seeking individual. This caused him to become jealous and envious. He became so jealous towards David he was going to murder him!
David on the other hand always gave God the Glory. He was secure in God alone. He truly believed the verse 17:47 "...this is the LORD's battle, and he will give you to us!" He gave God the credit for his victories.
My desire is to have David's heart. I'm afraid tho that mine is more like Saul's! I see now that when those annoyed thoughts, jealousness, envious, reaction to what others' say...these are red flags...to show that I am being self-centered/self-seeking. I want to be so full of God's presence that there is no time to be self-centered! I want to aim to please God, not those around me.
Love you sister's...thanks so much for your comments! You always give me so much more to ponder over! It's so fun studying God's Word with YOU ALL!
Blessings & prayer's...
Lori - AZ
Wendy,
I just read your P31 devo today...wow, what a great explanation of how we get lulled into sin!
I trust all is well with you. Things are great with me... am feeling better now that I am no longer in a chemical-laden environment. I now work from home, pursuing my dream of writing and illustrating children's books... and, oh yeah, I have my first speaking engagement on May 2!
Blessings to you, friend! Thanks for all you do for our Friend! :)
Onward,
Lisa R.
Good Morning My Friends,
This is certainly a lesson learned the hard way for me. I repeatedly have gone to friends or even “other sources” to try to gain insight first on issues in my life. But about 5 years ago I went to my Father first and WOW what a difference. It cuts out so much “garbage” in your mind. You don’t get all the other opinions and thoughts; you get what you need straight from the Father.
Recently I had one of the toughest decisions of my life to make. According to “the world” I should have sought legal counsel. But instead I fell to my knees for days and told no one of my situation. (this worked for me) Finally I got my clear answers, answers I don’t believe I would have heard as clear if I would have done it differently. But then asked for prayer and support to execute the decisions made.
David was perhaps one of the greatest kings and compared to Goliath a midget. But he went straight to the Lord for His strength. I love the saying “that giant up there’s not too big to hit, that giant’s too big to miss”.
I think everyone camps out, flirts with sin. Sometimes we may want or hope it overtakes us so that we can blame it on our lifestyle “I can’t help it if they want to do this around me”, yes you can, remove yourself from the situation. God knows the games we play.
Wendy, great devotion and message today congratulation on the posts number.
Love you ladies and praying for you all,
Diane
Wendy and all you other wonderful blog friends, thank you for always adding even more depth to God's deep spiritual truths.
What stood out to me today in that that even though the battle between David and Goliath was God's, He still required David to "do" something. David still had to collect the stones, stand in front of Goliath, and swing the slingshot, all the while trusting God.
Ladies, so often, I want to give my battle to God so that I don't have to do anything. Then, in His loving kindness, God says "But you still need to act, so others may see my glory through you. Trust in me each step."
I don't why I felt the need to share this today, but hopefully it can help someone who standing at the battle line waiting to make the first move. Act dear friend. God is with you, and HE WILL BE GLORIFIED!
Blessings to all of you.
Great questions at the end of the devotion today...these questions really get personal and help to apply this whole idea. Thank You for being a daughter of the King who shares the truth...His Word!
Wendy, it never ceases to amaze me, though I know it shouldn't, how God can use the P31 devotional to reach me and teach me when I am in the midst of a trial. God is so good! I came to your blog for more, and feel so guided in knowing that I only need to put God in control, trust, and already thank Him for the victory. The song was great -- I felt like I was looking over my shoulder and saying "Ha! Take that, Satan... you're outa here!" Bless you, and thank you!
Wow! Wendy love the insights God gave you for this reading today!
I too, as Lori, saw pride and jealousy take over Saul. While I was thinking about the tormenting spirit that came over Saul it reminded me of how our negative thoughts can take over. Have you ever "fought a battle" in your head before the battle actually occurs. In other words have you ever had a two way conversation in your head before meeting with a person you are in conflict with? "If the person says this then I will say this." "And if they says that then I will say this." We try to prepare ahead for a battle that may not even happen. We can get ourselves so worked up, angry, and bring up our walls or shields to do battle by the time we meet with this person we our in a defensive mode. We mind read, jump to conclusions, forecast etc. (Cognitive Distortions)
It makes me wonder if this is what the tormenting spirit was doing with Saul. The more successful David was the more jealous Saul became. The more jealous Saul became the more negative thinking he was doing about David....the thoughts were so negative that he became so angry that he threw the spear at David. Have you ever been so angry with someone that you wanted something bad to happen to them? All at the same time that you really do not want something to happen to that person because you also feel the guilt of wishing such a thing.
We (our pride) get in the way sometimes when the credit for something we accomplish or do should go to the Lord not to ourselves.
I like what Joy said about God is bigger than any giant we may find ourselves up against. A visual to add to this would be to put the "giant you are up against" and draw a big circle around it...noting that God is bigger than whatever you may be facing. And then try to let go and let God lead and guide. As the song Wendy shared with us..."the battle belongs to the Lord." all honor and glory are His! Praise His Name!
We are all in process. Once again I am so thankful for all the insights gleaned from the Old Testament readings and how they apply to us today!
Love from Debbie in Illinois
Wendy, this was an excellent message today about our Lord always being with us in the battle! Also, I esp. loved your Proverbs 31 devotion this morning on "Camping Too Close to Sin." An essential reminder to all of us - so much that I forwarded it to a couple friends! I came upon your blog through Proverbs 31 devotions. Love and blessings!
Awesome devo today, Wendy. I've always kind of judged Lot too--I just can't fathom him offering up his daughters like that! But thanks for helping me re-think things. :-) Love and miss you!
This particular sentence today in your post really stood out to me: "Sometimes, the very thing that we fear the most will be used the greatest to help us win our battle."
What an encouragement that is to me!
Thank you!
Marilyn
What caught my attention in today's reading was David's personal testimony of his God. It's not enough to know him through others and their victories, we must know who God is for ourselves.
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge a place of safety when I am in distress. Psalm 59:18
Lord, help us to to take our relationship with you personally. Help us to choose to sing with joy each morning. Help us to declare you as our refuge and place of safety through the distresses of life that are sure to come before we are changed from mortal to immortality. Looking forward to the change.......What about you?
Debbie - North Carolina
Kristen I LOVED your insight about us having to take action and even though God fights our battles that does not mean He won't ask us to do something. Some of the hardest things in my life have been knowing God has promised me the victory, I have seen it in scripture, through confirmations in readings and messages, through answered prayer, on and on. BUT I still had to take the step of faith to trust Him and do what He required of me. About a year and a half ago I took the absolute hardest step in my healing process and even though I was scared to death to reveal my whole heart and lay it all out there, God blessed it and He did give me the victory. He promises in Isaiah 43:2 that "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Praise the Lord! Thanks Kristen for a wonderful point!
lovely ladies of God,
ISam17:36 i have fought the lion and i have fought the bear, and i'll fight this uncircumcised philistine....
i have used this, and made it personal...several years ago, i had a patient die after a tubal pregnancy ruptured, despite my surgical intervention...i had a hard time returning to these surgeries after her death, lots of insecurity, scared of that which i used to be praised for... when i HAD to return to the surgery, i quoted this verse, but making it personal.... "i saved 'jane doe' with this surgery, and i saved 'betty smith' with this procedure, and i'll save you 'ann brown' with this technique, WITH GOD'S HELP! it doesn't make me less scared, but i've learned to 'do it afraid' (quote credit to joyce meyer)
i'll say it again...i can't believe how applicable the OT can be to my life!!
be blessed,
love,
amy jane
Hightly Favored
Thamks you so much Wendy and ladies for all your comments they really bless my spirit.I only started this on-line reading about a week ago. Thank God for all of you.
Wendy, I love how you expressed David's situation. "...David knows something...Someone Saul doesn't know...David knows the power and Source of that power".
Often times we find people in our paths that treat us like Saul treated David. This can be in the work place or even in church. I really want to be like David when it comes to these type of relationships. Saul was jealous of David's ability "to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him". 1 Sam 18:14 Through all of Saul's mean and nasty scheme's(even to the point of trying to kill David) David still treated the king with respect. David wanted to please God...he ran to God and waited for God to rescue him. I really long to be more like David.
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