I've been listening to a challenging sermon series on spiritual warfare. The pastor knocked me out of my comfort zone when he stressed that we are not to be afraid. We are to be like David, who was a mere boy bearing only a slingshot when he faced the mighty warrior-giant Goliath! It bolstered me when the pastor reminded his listeners that David answered Goliath's challenge in this decisive manner: "'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'"( I Samuel 17:45, New International Version)
The name of the Lord Almighty. There is power in that name. When we are facing seemingly INSURMOUNTABLE odds, we can rest assured that this, my dear friends, is when God will show up. He delights in this type of rescue. We get none of the glory or credit but our faith is MIGHTILY strengthened. How do I know that God loves to come into a situation that looks hopeless? His word says this about him: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (II Chron. 16:9, NIV) He is actively looking for an opportunity such as that presented by David and Goliath.
It does not matter what the "giant" is in your life. It does not matter that your resources in the fight are pitifully inadequate. God does his best work when we have exhausted all options. He is a restorer, deliverer, lover of our souls. He will act in our behalf to protect, deliver, strengthen and refresh. He will make the broken path smooth. He will, in short, make a way where there is no way. He has a plan to use every single life for his glory. Our callings are fulfilling, exciting and tailor-made for each of us. Satan can try to intervene, but bless God through prayer and by standing on His word we will prevail against our enemy not in our own strength, but in the power of the Almighty God living in us and working through us. We will have fruitful, enjoyable, blessed lives if we will hang onto the faith that comes by hearing God's word! He has spoken victory over each of us.
Back to that all-important phrase David uttered: "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty". In saying this, David underscored that he was not attempting this challenge in his own pitiful strength with that basic slingshot. He also underscored the absolute authority and utterly matchless power of the name of the Lord. Proverbs 18:10 says "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
The very next time Satan throws a lie in your face about the hopelessness of your situation and then backs it up with an event that he has orchestrated, run into the tower of safety that is the name of the Lord. Apply that name in prayer to the situation. Take the battle one step further: after you have run into the tower of the name of Jesus, press the button (hey, it's 2015) and raise the drawbridge. Let the devil slip into the moat that is the blood of Jesus, which forms a protective hedge around us. Then live in that tower of safety, praying your way straight through to victory. Along the way, encourage other believers. We are all in the cross-hairs. The good news is that Christ fights our battles for us as we live in him in complete trust and obedience.
The name of the Lord Almighty. There is power in that name. When we are facing seemingly INSURMOUNTABLE odds, we can rest assured that this, my dear friends, is when God will show up. He delights in this type of rescue. We get none of the glory or credit but our faith is MIGHTILY strengthened. How do I know that God loves to come into a situation that looks hopeless? His word says this about him: "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (II Chron. 16:9, NIV) He is actively looking for an opportunity such as that presented by David and Goliath.
It does not matter what the "giant" is in your life. It does not matter that your resources in the fight are pitifully inadequate. God does his best work when we have exhausted all options. He is a restorer, deliverer, lover of our souls. He will act in our behalf to protect, deliver, strengthen and refresh. He will make the broken path smooth. He will, in short, make a way where there is no way. He has a plan to use every single life for his glory. Our callings are fulfilling, exciting and tailor-made for each of us. Satan can try to intervene, but bless God through prayer and by standing on His word we will prevail against our enemy not in our own strength, but in the power of the Almighty God living in us and working through us. We will have fruitful, enjoyable, blessed lives if we will hang onto the faith that comes by hearing God's word! He has spoken victory over each of us.
Back to that all-important phrase David uttered: "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty". In saying this, David underscored that he was not attempting this challenge in his own pitiful strength with that basic slingshot. He also underscored the absolute authority and utterly matchless power of the name of the Lord. Proverbs 18:10 says "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
The very next time Satan throws a lie in your face about the hopelessness of your situation and then backs it up with an event that he has orchestrated, run into the tower of safety that is the name of the Lord. Apply that name in prayer to the situation. Take the battle one step further: after you have run into the tower of the name of Jesus, press the button (hey, it's 2015) and raise the drawbridge. Let the devil slip into the moat that is the blood of Jesus, which forms a protective hedge around us. Then live in that tower of safety, praying your way straight through to victory. Along the way, encourage other believers. We are all in the cross-hairs. The good news is that Christ fights our battles for us as we live in him in complete trust and obedience.
Such encouraging, faith building truths! Thank you, Laurie.
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