Life Struggles And Battles
Today we are looking at the great historical event of David defeating Goliath the 9’9″ tall Philistine. Goliath’s armor weighed about 125 pounds, and the head of his spear 15 pounds. David couldn’t even wear armor because he wasn’t used to it. In 1 Samuel 17:48 we read that David, “quickly ran toward the battle line to meet him.” And we know the rest, Goliath falls at the hand of a smooth stone. As a shepherd David had faced lions and bears, and he had confidence and skill for this date with Goliath. David was prepared and confident for this day because he had been in similar situations before. God was preparing him the whole time.
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Scripture:
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” – 1 Samuel 17:47
Observation/Application:
It doesn’t even sound like David was afraid does it. Before heading out to meet Goliath he tells Saul that the Lord is going to be victorious. As he is getting ready to head out to battle and Goliath is taunting him, David declares by great faith, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” – (1 Samuel 17:45). And David declares what he knows to be true of the faithful, that the battle is the Lord’s. While king Saul and all of his armies are cowering in fear of the philistine, David the shepherd boy runs out to battle without fear. He is not even in the army, but had just come to the battlefield to check in on his brothers. What an amazing piece of history to learn from.
How does this apply to us today? First and foremost, we can be confident that all things are possible with God. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 19:26. This doesn’t mean that we jump off a bridge and shout out “anything is possible through Goooooooooddddddddddddddddd” as we plummet to our death. We have to take a balanced view of scripture and understand that they all work together. We have to be wise and know that Jesus also tells us to now put the Lord our God to the test – (Matthew 4:7) Notice that David didn’t run out there recklessly. Instead he recognized his gifts and used his strengths gained from his life experiences to answer God’s call. He saw Goliath not as a threat too big, but as a target too big to miss. And when we are walking in our calling, we will be prepared to rise victorious where others only see the impossible.
David also recognized Goliath’s threats against the Lord and knew that God would defeat Goliath. He knew that anyone who blasphemes God or the Holy Spirit is going down in flames. Jesus says in Matthew 12:31, “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Every sin is forgivable except for one. Every sin is forgivable including lying, cheating, stealing, and even murder. But the unforgivable sin is a perpetual hardening of the heart and willfully sinning against God and man (1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15). The unforgivable sin is any sin that a person doesn’t want to give up, confess, or even ask forgiveness for. And they no longer want to hear any more about it from the Holy Spirit. When we turn away from God, we eventually can’t hear and recognize His voice. The power of the Holy Spirit can no longer work in our lives if we shut Him out.
The good news is this – if a person still desires forgiveness and confesses their sins, even blaspheme against God is forgiven. Look at Paul who persecuted, arrested, and was responsible for the death of Christians before his heart was turned and he was saved. He said and did all kinds of things against God and the Holy Spirit. But he confessed his sins and God forgave even his sins and cleansed him from all unrighteousness.
Let us never forget that God knows the heart. And if we ask for forgiveness from the heart, our sins will be forgiven. The unforgivable sin is the one that never leaves the heart. Are you struggling with something in your life today? Are you battling something, or someone? Does it seem like you are fighting an uphill battle, an impossible cause? Is there a problem, an addiction, a struggle that is just too great a burden for you bear? Turn to Jesus. Receive him into your heart. Make him your Lord and Savior. Ask him for the forgiveness of your sins. And start to seek him first every day. Make God your number one priority. Read the Bible. Get in a good church. And if you take a step toward God, he will meet you right where you are at, no matter where you are at. He will love you, and protect you, until He brings you back to your heavenly home.
#This-Is-How-I-Fight-My-Battles
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this Word today. Thank you for this wonderful historical record that teaches us so much. I am overwhelmed with words and thoughts, and do my best to record them for your glory each day. Give me clarity and understanding, wisdom and words. Let your Word and your Will be revealed and done Father, as we follow You all our days. We give you all the honor and glory an praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: 1 Samuel 17; 1 Psalm 9; Matthew 2
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:37
- “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty” – 1 Samuel 17:45
- “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26
- “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” – Matthew 4:7
“Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” – 1 Timothy 4:2 - “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” – Titus 1:15
- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
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