We Are OVERCOMERS!

I Samuel 17:1-11, 16 (The Message version) The Philistines drew up their troops for battle. Saul and the Israelites came together, camped at Oak Valley, and spread out their troops in battle readiness for the Philistines. A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor—126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail—the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him.  Goliath stood there and called out to the Israelite troops, “Why bother using your whole army? Am I not Philistine enough for you? Pick your best fighter and pit him against me. If he gets the upper hand and kills me, the Philistines will all become your slaves. But if I get the upper hand and kill him, you’ll all become our slaves and serve us. I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!”  When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine’s challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope. Each morning and evening for forty days, Goliath took his stand and made his speech.

Greetings in the mighty name of the Lord!

This passage is a little long, but I think we can all relate to it.  We have all faced battles where our opposition stands way taller than we do and maybe even has superior weapons that seem invincible, we feel taunted and teased, “You’re never going to get better, you’re never going to get married, you’re never going to have victory over that temptation, you’re never going to get out of debt, you’re kids will never amount to anything, you’re never going to have healing in your relationship…”  We do not even want to fight – or pray sometimes – because we are terrified and/or have lost all hope.  And sometimes the fear is prolonged.  How can anyone live in a constant state of fear? And yet we do.

And our gracious God knows this, which is why Samuel 17 is a chapter in the Bible.  It was written to show us that we are OVERCOMERS!  And for the next few days we will explore all the powerful truths that we can apply in our lives from this portion of scripture.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It’s useless to try and hide how we feel; You know us so well.  We have all faced Goliaths, and many of us are facing one right now.  And for many of us, this giant has been in our face for more than 40 days and nights.  But we turn to You for guidance, protection, and peace, and we thank You that Your Bible is powerful and able to help.  We look forward to nourishing our souls so that we can live with joy and calmness in the knowledge of Your unending care for us.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~