Scripture:
I Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV
[45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with 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 defied. [46] This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
Observation:
Not only have I had the opportunity to read this story what seems like a million times, but as a child, I heard it from Sunday school teachers and my grandparents as well. It’s amazing how when you know a story like this, you tend to glance over some of the important details. After all, hearing of a young teenage boy with the courage to approach a seasoned worrier is exciting. But what’s really going on in this story? If you back up several verses, we see an arrogant giant who has probably won lots of battles at the end of his sword. Very defiant and rebellious towards the one true GOD. His pride had gotten the best of him, and he was honestly unaware of who he was about to battle. Then along comes this little boy. With the courage of a full-grown man who had been fighting all his life. Where did his courage come from? How could he stand up to a giant the size of Goliath? Was he not scared? Did he not see how big this guy was? We can see the answer to a lot of our questions in verse 45. You see, Goliath was relying on his past experience and what he thought he knew. Size and strength equal victory. But David had a whole nothing approach. Reliance on GOD is sure victory. The boys’ statement in verse 45 is clear, “You come to me with sword, and with a spear. But I come against you with the LORD of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Isreal, whom you have defied. David’s confidence did not come from his ability but from the LORD. You see, he knew who was fighting. Although David stood in the face of Goliath with confidence, it was because he knew who GOD was. He knew that no matter how big the enemy standing in front of him appeared, GOD was even bigger, and victory was not to be won it was already given. GOD has a perfect record when it comes to battles. The confidence that David possessed didn’t stop in verse 45 because in verse 46, he continues by reassuring the giant that he has made a serious mistake. Not only has he underestimated his opposition, but he truly had no idea who he was fighting to begin with. “The LORD will deliver you into my hands.” David was telling him, but he was not listening. In verse 47, we come to the conclusion of today’s verses and find out what has been spelled out in the rest of the observation. The battle didn’t belong to David it never did. The victory had already been won. The battle belongs to the LORD.
Application:
I know we have heard this story so many times that it gets old. Yeah, yeah, we can face giants and win. But how many of us are looking at a battle thinking man, I’m just not sure about this? Looking at our ability and knowing how to gain us a victory… or fighting for victory rather than from it. I know… listing I’m guilty as well. Sometimes, I forget who the battle belongs to, and I think I have to do this all on my own. But let me tell you something… that just not true. It’s not your battle. You just have to show up with confidence in the one who brought you to the fight. GOD said it, I believe it, and that settles it. I have a question… do you believe the bible? Have you red it? Well, then what are you afraid of? Maybe reading the bible just one time is not enough. I know it’s not for me. I have to be reminded all the time who I am… and more importantly, who’s I am. We belong to GOD. It doesn’t matter what we face that doesn’t change. Are you standing at the battleline looking at a fight that looks so big that you already know you’re going to lose? Well, you probably are with that concept. It’s not your battle. That’s the point… the battle belongs to GOD. Your confidence should be in HIM. If you are looking at your ability, your focus is wrong. If you have big problems, you have a little GOD. Like I said, I am guilty. Sometimes, I look at what I am facing and think I can do this… and honestly, I’m right… but HE can. HE is bigger than anything you are facing today, and knowing that is the entire battle. HE is not going to bring you to the front lines and leave you there. HE is fighting for you. It’s HIS battle. The master chess player. More than a conqueror, the LORD of heavens armies has already won the victory. Read the book we win. HE wants you to know that that’s why HE left us proof in HIS word. Do you believe it? Is your faith in HIM? Step up to line with th confidence of a battle already won. Because you are not fighting for victory, you are fighting from it.
Prayer:
Father, we know that we have to not only be reminded of who we are on a regular basis… but we have to be reminded who you are as well. We seem to have a built-in forgetter. We’ll we just do want to forget anymore. You are the LORD holy and righteous. You have already won. You tell us that at the very beginning of your word. We want to stand in the confidence that you have given us. You have made us to be mighty worriers. Who doesn’t back down because we know the battle is yours. As we look at the armor, there is no backplate. We are not designed to run from the battle. We know that the church you are building does not back up. We stand I’m the face of the enemy and with your fist strick a deadly blow to his gates. Show us your victory. We stand here at the gates of all his lies and say we come against you with the LORD of heavens armies. There is no way you win. Father, lift your foot and stomp his head in the mighty name of Jesus. The victory is yours. Along with the glory. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.