NOT ALL BATTLES ARE WON WITH THE SAME WEAPON
SCRIPTURE:
“David said to the Philistine, “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. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 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.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (1Samuel 17:45—50)
OBSERVATION:
The army of Israel and its king were terrified by the daunting of the giant Goliath. Whenever Goliath came out to fight the Israelites, they would cuddle up in fear, and no one dared to go up against the giant. There are problems that we face daily, and all in various ways. Some battles in life are sometimes beyond our ability to deal with them. Others we can cope with it well.
But then there are problems that, no matter what we do, seem to get worse and overwhelm us to the point of hopelessness. Goliath came out daily to taunt the armies of Israel, and although they were well armed, they lacked the courage in the fight. They were paralyzed with fear. It doesn’t matter how well-armed and equipped we may be; without courage, nothing will change.
David showed me today how to fight a battle that may seem overwhelming. It is a lesson to learn that only some battles will be won with the same weapons we have used or the same strategy. Sometimes stepping out of the box and out of the usual is where we find the answer to combat our problems.
David’s answer to Goliath’s challenge gives us a winning strategy. Goliath relied on his power and weapons of war. David shows his plans on how to win:
- David went forth in the name of the Lord. So many times, we battle with the same weapons our enemies have. We must fight our problems by trusting in the name of the Lord.
- David had COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE in what God can do. He was confident that God would deliver Goliath into his hands.
- David knew the battle was not won by sword or spear, for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will do it. I, too, must have the confidence that God fights for and with me.
- David did not RUN AWAY from his problems. He ran toward Goliath and dealt with him.
We can never overcome overwhelming challenges by running away from it. We must face them head-on with total confidence in the power of God to lead us through all obstacles and overcome them.
APPLICATION:
I am learning again from David how to face my battles at all levels. My battles must be met with total confidence and trust in the mighty power of God daily. I will continue to trust God’s wisdom and power to lead me through all my difficulties.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for the reminder today that you are in the battles and challenges of my life daily. Thank you for your faithfulness in delivering me from many of the challenges I have gone through in my life journey. Please help me always acknowledge and depend on you daily for your wisdom to combat life. I look to you today, and I am confident that you are always with me. Amen!
