But David Persisted...

Hebrews 10:30 “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

How do we overcome the “Goliaths” in our lives? We follow the example of a young shepherd boy named David.  He was the youngest of eight boys, and his three older brothers had already joined the army and were among those who were fearful of Goliath.  David’s job was to tend sheep and run errands.  One day his dad asked him to take some bread and cheese to his brothers and their captain, and that simple request changed the course of the battle.

When David arrived with the gifts, it was just in time to “hear Goliath shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.” (I Samuel 17:23)  David witnessed the Israeli army running away in fright.  He was shocked and asked, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” (v.26)

David asks a great question!  How dare anyone or anything, much less a pagan, be allowed to confront, mock, oppose, provoke, ridicule, dishonor, and insult the armies – in our case – the children – of the living God?

And yet, when challenged, I ran away in fear.  Ooops! I mean, they ran away in fear.   Sometimes we do that, don’t we?  Facing the opponent is something we would rather not do. 

Nevertheless, David’s question was so thought-provoking that the king sent for him.  As soon as David meets with the king he says, ‘Don’t worry about this Philistine. I’ll go fight him!” (v. 32)  King Saul replied, “Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” (v.33) “But David persisted…” (v.34)

Important truth of the day: When Goliath comes at you, even if everyone around you is running away or telling you it can’t be done, determine in your heart that you will fight anyway.    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You expect us, Your children, to fight our enemies.  You expect us to stand up to anything or anyone that comes against us or our families.  Renew that fighting spirit within us.  We will not give in or give up.  Thank you that prayer is our number one, most effective weapon.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Stay the Course~

 TGIF greetings,

 Yesterday we saw that Deborah called upon a man named Barak to organize an army of 10,000 men, and that she herself was not afraid to get into the fight; the plan was for them to meet up at the Kishon River.  But look at what Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go (Judges 4:8).”

Powerful truth of the day: It doesn’t matter what others do or don’t do.  We must stay the course. 

Even if no one else is encouraging you, or if they are putting conditions to their participation, no matter what the excuses and/or obstacles, we must stay focused and in prayer.  Why? Because in verse six it is “The Lord, the God of Israel, (Who) commands you, ‘Go!’” Deborah is not giving orders for orders sake.  As the Judge over the nation at the time, she and God had close communication.  The people knew this as they had recognized her in her God-given position for years.  Barak should have known better, and we should too.  We have the precious Holy Bible as our guide repeatedly encouraging us to “fight the good fight,” “run the course,” “pray without ceasing,” “make our petitions known…”

Nevertheless, Deborah answers, “Certainly I will go with you, but because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

There is a price to pay for backing down. For Barak it was a loss of honor.  Really a shame, if you think about it, because he did go on to organize an army of 10,000, and that is no small feat. 

But there is also glory to be had when we do as the Lord asks.  There are chains of addiction that are broken, there are negative emotions that are crushed, there are relationships restored, and countless other blessings that come as a result of our staying in the fight!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Do not let us lose focus.  It is easy to make excuses and get distracted from our daily walk with You.  Sometimes we feel alone – as though no one else will join us in our struggles.  It does not matter.  With You on our side, the victory is at hand! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~       

Not Afraid to Fight!

Thursday greetings!

Today I am excited because we get to explore the story of a powerful woman in the Bible.  Examples of brave, determined, female leaders always provide just the right dose of inspiration, and it shows us that we can do whatever we need to do with Jesus helping us. 

In Judges chapter four we learn of Deborah.  She was the judge of the entire nation of Israel.  She was not a judge in the sense of trying cases, but rather, that is what rulers who were in charge over the needs of the people were called, and any Israelite seeking help would go to her.  In chapter four we read that they had been suffering horribly under an evil army commander named Sisera and had cried out to God for help.  The Lord, in turn, guided Deborah as she prepared to act.

Judges 4:7-8 “She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor.  I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

This is one tough gal! God directed her to call upon a man named Barak to raise an army.  I find it impressive that she was so resolute.  Imagine me giving orders to recruit 10,000 men to go fight.  Actually, I like giving orders, and so maybe I would find it easy to point fingers and bark out commands.  But what’s more incredible is that Sisera was a leader of a vast army himself with “nine hundred chariots fitted with iron,” as part of his arsenal.  And yet Deborah herself was willing to get in the fight.  “I will lead Sisera…and give him into your hands.”  Ever had someone tell you, “Do as I say and not as I do?” Deborah is the complete opposite of that.  She put her money were her mouth is, and her actions provide the powerful truth of the day:   

GODLY WOMEN ARE COURAGEOUS AND NOT AFRAID TO GET IN THE FIGHT!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for reminding us—especially us women—that we have the ability and responsibility to get in the fight for those enemies that come against us and our families.  Show us what we need to do to safeguard our families.  Keep us alert to anything or anyone who would try to do them harm.  Our first line of defense is to pray.  So we pray right now for Your blessings, guidance, wisdom, and protection over ourselves and those we love.  In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN~