“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands.’ Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:45-48
1. Fight the battle mentally before you step onto the battle field. God will show you how to approach the situation if you ask for His wisdom. Make a strong profession of faith: “God, I trust You. I know You are with me.”
2. Reaffirm the battle is not yours but God’s. It is God’s battle; His honor is at stake. Your role is to obediently follow His leading and wait for His blessing.
3. Reckon the victory even before you see it coming. A conquering faith believes the victory is God’s and that He will bring deliverance despite the odds.
4. Wait for God’s timing. Don’t rush ahead of God. His timing is perfect. Never react out of anger. Make it your goal to respond in faith.
5. Fight the battle God’s way, not in human ability. God will use your talents, but He wants to receive the glory. Just as God empowered David, He will direct and strengthen the tools He gives you.
6. Fight with confidence. Nothing is more powerful than God. He sovereignly promises to love and protect you.
7. Trust God for the victory. The victory may not come overnight. It could take a few hours, days, or months. But remember, God has not forgotten you; and in His timing, He will make all things beautiful.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Rely on the Power of God
“Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.” 1 Samuel 17:48-52
You can respond to every challenge in a positive way by thanking God for who He is and what you have in Him. You are saved by His grace and eternally secure in Him. You are sealed until the day of redemption by His Holy Spirit, and you have all the power you need through Jesus Christ.
David didn’t need a spear or javelin to win the battle. All he needed was a conquering faith and a willingness to follow God’s leading. A homemade slingshot was the weapon God chose for David to use. In this way, human strength was not the victor. David received none of the glory. God received it all.
A conquering faith relies upon the power of God for victory. When you face difficulties, remember Christ is in the battle with you. God guided the stone that came off of David’s slingshot. It was just a simple stone picked up out of a creek bed, but it was one that God had prepared for years. And just like a bullet, it killed Goliath. David gained the victory by God’s power. His faith was a conquering faith. He reckoned the victory before he even stepped on the battlefield.
You, too, can face any and every circumstance of life knowing it’s not your strength, wisdom, energy, or power; but it’s the power of God through you that delivers you. God is your eternal encourager. He is your hope and help. Through Him alone there is victory!
You can respond to every challenge in a positive way by thanking God for who He is and what you have in Him. You are saved by His grace and eternally secure in Him. You are sealed until the day of redemption by His Holy Spirit, and you have all the power you need through Jesus Christ.
David didn’t need a spear or javelin to win the battle. All he needed was a conquering faith and a willingness to follow God’s leading. A homemade slingshot was the weapon God chose for David to use. In this way, human strength was not the victor. David received none of the glory. God received it all.
A conquering faith relies upon the power of God for victory. When you face difficulties, remember Christ is in the battle with you. God guided the stone that came off of David’s slingshot. It was just a simple stone picked up out of a creek bed, but it was one that God had prepared for years. And just like a bullet, it killed Goliath. David gained the victory by God’s power. His faith was a conquering faith. He reckoned the victory before he even stepped on the battlefield.
You, too, can face any and every circumstance of life knowing it’s not your strength, wisdom, energy, or power; but it’s the power of God through you that delivers you. God is your eternal encourager. He is your hope and help. Through Him alone there is victory!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Be Positive
“Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’” 1 Samuel 17:26
“David said to Saul, ‘Let no man's heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Then Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.’” 1 Samuel 17:32-36
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel...’” 1 Samuel 17:45-46
David understood the nature of the battle. Many times we fight one another in our homes, churches, and businesses; but we should never see one another as the enemy. The enemy is Satan. Ask God to help you understand the nature of the battle. His Spirit can and will reveal the crux of the conflict. Trust Him to expose the enemy’s devices so there will be less strife and more love, understanding, and unity.
A person with a conquering faith responds to a challenge with a positive confession. As he prepared for battle, David made positive confessions to those around him. He told the men who criticized him, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” To Saul he said: “The Lord who delivered me...will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And to Goliath he said, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.”
David’s words were a testimony of faith. He was convinced there was no way he could lose because God was with him. There’s no place for negative confessions in the midst of battle. Positive confession energizes us for victory.
“David said to Saul, ‘Let no man's heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Then Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.’” 1 Samuel 17:32-36
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel...’” 1 Samuel 17:45-46
David understood the nature of the battle. Many times we fight one another in our homes, churches, and businesses; but we should never see one another as the enemy. The enemy is Satan. Ask God to help you understand the nature of the battle. His Spirit can and will reveal the crux of the conflict. Trust Him to expose the enemy’s devices so there will be less strife and more love, understanding, and unity.
A person with a conquering faith responds to a challenge with a positive confession. As he prepared for battle, David made positive confessions to those around him. He told the men who criticized him, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” To Saul he said: “The Lord who delivered me...will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And to Goliath he said, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.”
David’s words were a testimony of faith. He was convinced there was no way he could lose because God was with him. There’s no place for negative confessions in the midst of battle. Positive confession energizes us for victory.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Our Source of Encouragement
“Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. The Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.’ Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands.’” 1 Samuel 17:41-47
A conquering faith rejects discouraging thoughts and words. As David prepared to meet Goliath in battle, no one offered any encouragement. The soldiers laughed at him; and out of the embarrassment, his brothers told him to go home. If David had listened to their comments, he never would have fought Goliath.
You must be very careful to whom you listen. Listening to people who have a negative few of life usually leads to adopting their attitude. You cannot internalize negative comments and expect to gain victory. However, if we maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ when trouble comes, we are much more inclined to turn to Him as our Source of encouragement. He never ridicules, discourages, or causes us to doubt when trusting Him.
David’s relationship to God was one of close, personal trust. It was a friendship that went far beyond any human relationship. He could sense God’s leading and knew when God was communicating to him. A major part of faith is learning to be still before God and being sensitive to His words of instruction.
A conquering faith recognizes the true nature of the battle. Most difficulties we face are spiritual battles. It doesn’t matter if it’s financial or emotional or physical. God is involved in every area of our lives.
When Goliath saw David, he cursed him by the power of his gods and said, “‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?...Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.’ Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands...[And] all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands’” (1 Samuel 17:41-47).
A conquering faith rejects discouraging thoughts and words. As David prepared to meet Goliath in battle, no one offered any encouragement. The soldiers laughed at him; and out of the embarrassment, his brothers told him to go home. If David had listened to their comments, he never would have fought Goliath.
You must be very careful to whom you listen. Listening to people who have a negative few of life usually leads to adopting their attitude. You cannot internalize negative comments and expect to gain victory. However, if we maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ when trouble comes, we are much more inclined to turn to Him as our Source of encouragement. He never ridicules, discourages, or causes us to doubt when trusting Him.
David’s relationship to God was one of close, personal trust. It was a friendship that went far beyond any human relationship. He could sense God’s leading and knew when God was communicating to him. A major part of faith is learning to be still before God and being sensitive to His words of instruction.
A conquering faith recognizes the true nature of the battle. Most difficulties we face are spiritual battles. It doesn’t matter if it’s financial or emotional or physical. God is involved in every area of our lives.
When Goliath saw David, he cursed him by the power of his gods and said, “‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?...Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.’ Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands...[And] all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands’” (1 Samuel 17:41-47).
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Check Your Motivation
“So David arose early in the morning and left the flock with a keeper and took the supplies and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out in battle array shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up in battle array, army against army. Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them. When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid.
The men of Israel said, ‘Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.’ Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’ The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, ‘Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.” 1 Samuel 17:20-27
Think about the times in your life when problems seemed too large for you to handle. Most of us have faced times when we did not know how we could possible handle the circumstances. Yet God never fails to keep His promises. In His mercy, He always provides a way.
I recommend keeping a daily journal to help you recall God’s work in your life. Be sure to record all the challenges you’re facing and what you are trusting God to do in that situation. Ask Him to give you specific Scriptures that address the issues as well as His promises for your future.
A person with a conquering faith also reexamines and reaffirms the proper motivation for going into battle. David did not rush into battle without accurately assessing the situation. He came to a realization that the battle facing Israel was spiritual in nature. Therefore, his primary motivation for fighting Goliath wasn’t to gain wealth or fame but to exalt God.
It’s always wise to ask three questions before dealing with any conflict or problem: “What is my motivation for entering this battle? What is God’s purpose for me in facing this conflict? And what’s really going on here?” Many times the enemy attacks us with the sole purpose of discouraging us. Even if the challenge we face involves the death of a loved one, God has something for us to learn in the sorrow. He wants to be our Comforter and Counselor.
The men of Israel said, ‘Have you seen this man who is coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel. And it will be that the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel.’ Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, ‘What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?’ The people answered him in accord with this word, saying, ‘Thus it will be done for the man who kills him.” 1 Samuel 17:20-27
Think about the times in your life when problems seemed too large for you to handle. Most of us have faced times when we did not know how we could possible handle the circumstances. Yet God never fails to keep His promises. In His mercy, He always provides a way.
I recommend keeping a daily journal to help you recall God’s work in your life. Be sure to record all the challenges you’re facing and what you are trusting God to do in that situation. Ask Him to give you specific Scriptures that address the issues as well as His promises for your future.
A person with a conquering faith also reexamines and reaffirms the proper motivation for going into battle. David did not rush into battle without accurately assessing the situation. He came to a realization that the battle facing Israel was spiritual in nature. Therefore, his primary motivation for fighting Goliath wasn’t to gain wealth or fame but to exalt God.
It’s always wise to ask three questions before dealing with any conflict or problem: “What is my motivation for entering this battle? What is God’s purpose for me in facing this conflict? And what’s really going on here?” Many times the enemy attacks us with the sole purpose of discouraging us. Even if the challenge we face involves the death of a loved one, God has something for us to learn in the sorrow. He wants to be our Comforter and Counselor.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Remember what God has Done
“The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him.
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, ‘Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.’Again the Philistine said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”
1 Samuel 17:3-11
“The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand.” 1 Samuel 17:16
In 1 Samuel 17, the Scriptures recount how the Philistines taunted the army of Israel for forty days. Their greatest defense was a giant of a man named Goliath who daily shouted slanderous threats at Israel. When David traveled to Israel’s camp, he found the soldiers discouraged and fearful. Not one arrow had been shot, yet it was apparent that Israel was ready to concede defeat (1 Sam. 17:24). Many problems we face act like Goliath. They shout false accusations and threaten us emotionally and physically in an attempt to discourage and keep us from doing God’s will.
The Goliath in your life may be a financial indebtedness, the sudden death of a loved one, a teenager who has left the home, news of a serious illness, a broken relationship, or a friend on drugs. It could be a disappointment at work or a series of personal failures. Whatever it is, God is with you, and He will never abandon you (John 14:18). Every trial, every disappointment, is an opportunity for Him to display His love and faithfulness toward you. Instead of giving in to thoughts of fear and failure, trust Him for the victory.
David’s faith was not based on human ability. It was founded and rooted in the faithfulness of God. One of the things that helped him stand firm when tested was recalling how God had worked in the past. The memory of God’s miraculous intervention raised his confidence level as he remembered the times he faced potential death and God gave him the victory.
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, ‘Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.’Again the Philistine said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”
1 Samuel 17:3-11
“The Philistine came forward morning and evening for forty days and took his stand.” 1 Samuel 17:16
In 1 Samuel 17, the Scriptures recount how the Philistines taunted the army of Israel for forty days. Their greatest defense was a giant of a man named Goliath who daily shouted slanderous threats at Israel. When David traveled to Israel’s camp, he found the soldiers discouraged and fearful. Not one arrow had been shot, yet it was apparent that Israel was ready to concede defeat (1 Sam. 17:24). Many problems we face act like Goliath. They shout false accusations and threaten us emotionally and physically in an attempt to discourage and keep us from doing God’s will.
The Goliath in your life may be a financial indebtedness, the sudden death of a loved one, a teenager who has left the home, news of a serious illness, a broken relationship, or a friend on drugs. It could be a disappointment at work or a series of personal failures. Whatever it is, God is with you, and He will never abandon you (John 14:18). Every trial, every disappointment, is an opportunity for Him to display His love and faithfulness toward you. Instead of giving in to thoughts of fear and failure, trust Him for the victory.
David’s faith was not based on human ability. It was founded and rooted in the faithfulness of God. One of the things that helped him stand firm when tested was recalling how God had worked in the past. The memory of God’s miraculous intervention raised his confidence level as he remembered the times he faced potential death and God gave him the victory.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Faith that Conquers
“For You are my lamp, O LORD; and the LORD illumines my darkness. For by You I can run upon a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress; and He sets the blameless in His way. He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help makes me great.” 2 Samuel 22:29-36
Do you have what it takes to victoriously face life’s challenges? All of us like to think we have the faith needed for any situation. However, faith is often progressive. God leads us through times of testing and difficulty to teach us more about Himself, especially His faithfulness. In the difficult times, He stretches our faith so when we face life’s sorrows, frustrations, and disappointments we can bear up under the weight of the circumstances without wavering.
David came to a point in his life where God allowed his faith to be tested. Frustration, heartache, and disappointment plagued his existence. Yet in even the darkest of times, David knew he was not alone. God had trained him for the battle. He wrote: “He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (2 Sam. 22:35).
God developed David’s childlike trust until it became a conquering faith. The result was a strong and unshakable belief in God. This is the same goal God has for you. He wants you to trust Him at every turn. A person who has a conquering faith will stand on God’s promises and trust Him for deliverance.
Over the next few days, we will look at an experience in the life of David to see some characteristics of a conquering faith. The material used is taken from an article written by Dr. Charles Stanley.
Do you have what it takes to victoriously face life’s challenges? All of us like to think we have the faith needed for any situation. However, faith is often progressive. God leads us through times of testing and difficulty to teach us more about Himself, especially His faithfulness. In the difficult times, He stretches our faith so when we face life’s sorrows, frustrations, and disappointments we can bear up under the weight of the circumstances without wavering.
David came to a point in his life where God allowed his faith to be tested. Frustration, heartache, and disappointment plagued his existence. Yet in even the darkest of times, David knew he was not alone. God had trained him for the battle. He wrote: “He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (2 Sam. 22:35).
God developed David’s childlike trust until it became a conquering faith. The result was a strong and unshakable belief in God. This is the same goal God has for you. He wants you to trust Him at every turn. A person who has a conquering faith will stand on God’s promises and trust Him for deliverance.
Over the next few days, we will look at an experience in the life of David to see some characteristics of a conquering faith. The material used is taken from an article written by Dr. Charles Stanley.
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