Battles 1-6-08

Battles
1-6-08
In 1st Samuel 17:3 we read about a stand-off between good and evil. There are two champions mentioned in this chapter; Goliath and David. Today the Lord was speaking to me about the components of the battle and methods of the enemy.
1 Sam 17:8-10; the Challenge. Goliath uses intimidation and sets terms for the victor. The one who slays the opposing army’s champion will take the opposition as his slaves.
Vs 21; Drawing lines. This is a face-off between both armies. There is no gray area, but there is a clear difference between each side, culminating in confrontation.
Vs 24; Darkest Hour. Inner foes, such as fear, surface, and the price of going against Goliath is weighed.
Vs 26. Hour of Truth. The Champion for truth speaks. David
Vs 32; Addresses fear (the 1st battle is internal)
Vs. 38,39; Addresses putting his trust in man (Saul’s armor) or God (2nd battle)
Vs 43,44. Weapons. Goliath’s; the curse
Vs 45-47; David’s; prophetic declaration.

There is much more going on than meets the eye in this battle. One of the 1st principles is that satan and God always have a mouth-piece. The champions were each mouth-pieces for their nations. One was a heathen nation, and one was God’s nation. Satan uses intimidation, knowing that it will cause the fearful to look to himself, and find himself inadequate for the battle. God uses past victories we have had in Him, knowing it will cause us to remember His strength displayed in our weakness, and put our trust in Him. That is why David told about his past victories with the lion and the bear, and his trust in God.

God sets time for confrontation between evil and good. At this time, the lines are drawn and we know which side we are on. We must face our enemy in the 1st battle. A man’s fear will seem too great and the intimidation will drive him into surrender and enslavement, or he will decide to trust in God. Then he must win the second battle; trusting in the strength of another man’s victories. Saul had won battles in his armor and it may have seemed like a good thing for David to wear it, but he wasn’t used to fighting with it on. He was more familiar with his own, personal, victories, with God on his side. We can seek the covering of those more versed in war than ourselves, or we can rely on God to be with us. God works in our lives for personal victories so that we will overcome lesser and greater demons.
Out of our review of our personal victories arises faith, and declaration of prophecy. God was with us in the past, and will be with us now in our present circumstances. The courage to take our stand, defy satan’s lies, and slay him brings a victory which exposes satan’s lies and rids us of his attacks. This victory is permanent as long as we do not compromise with him.
Indignation is an emotion that works in our favor when we are confronted with satan’s challenges. The confrontation between Goliath and David was one of lies met with holy anger. Indignation will cause us to step outside the bounds of rational, logical thought and into God’s plan. The battle then becomes the Lord’s.
God causes us to answer satan’s challenge with truth. He also exposes lies. Besides David exposing the lie about the Goliath’s ability to slay the Israelites, another lie was exposed. The Philistines did not meet the terms of the challenge to become the Israelites slaves after Goliath was beheaded. Instead, they ran. They had put their trust in Goliath (vs 51).
If we want our enemy to leave us alone, we must be clear that we are on God’s side. After that, we must confront satan’s challenges with God’s truth. To be firm in our faith, we should review our past victories in Christ, and trust in Him. When men would cause us to find shelter under their covering, whether it be a class they offer, or a book to read, or even someone greater than ourselves to speak on our behalf, we must not rely on them. Though it may seem that all we face is too much to face alone, we are not alone with God on our side. In our greatest weaknesses (and satan will be sure to point them out), God remains strong in us. He will give us the weapon of prophetic declaration in our mouth. This declaration is the Word of God, and we will overcome our enemy by living according to it. Amen.