Victory Over Goliath
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.”
1 Samuel 17:15
David was a young boy going up against the Philistine giant. He was no match for the giant in worldly battle terms, but the giant was no match for the God of Israel. David’s courage came from his confidence in God. Do you have the courage that comes from confidence in God when you are fighting battles? What would have happened to David in his battle if his confidence in God had wavered?
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Being strong in the Lord means having an unshakable faith that God is with us and we can depend on him. David was confident in his ability to accurately launch the rock to its destination because he had plenty of experience in using a slingshot. The Lord had prepared him for this battle and David was 100 % confident that the Lord would give him victory. The more we are prepared to do the Lord’s will, the more confidence we will have in the Lord giving us success.
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Fear collides with our faith and can easily prevent us from being victorious. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:8). If we know the perfect love God has for us, and if our love drives us to serve him, then love can overcome fear.
Courage comes from preparation and faith, but doubt can destroy both of these. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8). To overcome doubt we must adequately prepare, and then tell ourselves, “I will trust the Lord completely.” It takes strong thinking and determination to tell ourselves that we will trust the Lord without doubt. We fight with God’s love to overcome our fears so that we can be like David, skilled in preparation to battle for the Lord’s glory.
Today walk in victory with your sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word (Ephesians 6:17) and feel the power of the Lord. Know that the Lord is with you and will lead you to victory. Allow this to give you the confidence to reflect a loving heart with kind and encouraging words.
Let’s Pray: Lord, give me victory over Satan as I stand strong in the power of Christ. Give me the wisdom and power to overcome the world, to overcome the darkness. Take away any doubts that I have, so that I will fully trust in you and experience victory in Christ. In Jesus name Amen.