1 Samuel 17:1-54
As I read the account of David and Goliath it really hit me how I/we can allow ourselves to become almost paralyzed by hard circumstances and fear when we focus on what's going on in our lives instead of focusing on the One who is in control of all that's going on.
That's exactly what we see here in 1 Samuel 17. Saul and his army have been at war with the Philistines for over a month. They are scared and Goliath's antics are adding to their fear and stress. They don't know what to do. Then, young David arrives during one of Goliath's taunting outbursts and his response is a 180 from Saul and the army. David is angered and indignant that Goliath would dare "defy the armies of the living God" and he wants to take action. He clearly has a different focus. These 6 words from David say it all. "For the battle is the Lord's..." (vs. 47).
Life is a challenge. So how do we keep those all important words "For the battle is the Lord's" at the forefront as we take on life's challenges each and every day? Tami W.
For me, the problem is to not want to take over the battle when I think that God isn't fighting it the right way. Intellectually and theologically I know that God always does what is right but in the heat of the moment it seems easier to try to take things over myself. Doesn't it seem like God always allows suffering and pain to precede the victory? Wish sometimes He wouldn't do that. But I know that He knows best.
It's always easier to look at the 'giants' that are in our lives each day rather than the God of those giants, who is our Heavenly Father. I think I need to have that verse as my screen saver, on my office door, hanging in my car, on the mirror at home... to remind that whatever challenge I face in life "... the battle is the Lord's"
I have to daily or even take each momment depending on the circumstance in my life at the time, to prayer to keep "the Battle of the Lord's" in His hands not mine. It is easy being human to start thinking in human ways. I am human, arent' I!! I am so thankful for God's grace, mercy, patience....and LOVE for me!
the thing is we believe that we can handle life 'giants' on our own,so we do everything in our power to fight instead of relying on the Lord, but in David case he knew that the battle wasnt his but the Lord so in attack in that name of the Lord and this is the kind of reproach that we must take whenever we are face with 'giants' no matter what state or formed that they are in.
Interestingly, I've seen both sides of the spectrum. When it is a battle I feel I can win singlehandedly, it is so easy to forget about who's battle it belongs to and seek out God last. However, I am quickly reminded when faced with a seemingly impossible task. God also does not want us to shake in our boots with inaction. Rather, we must seek Christ in all situations. That way, when an impossible task is accomplished, the glory starts with the Lord, and ends with the Lord.
I've known this story since I was a child and I didn't put myself in David's shoes. But in reality we need to say "The battle is The LORD's." That makes even the big things in life seem small as Goliath did to David. God Bless!
When I look back over all God has done for me, I know that my God is bigger than any giant in my life. My biggest problem I face is I sometimes think it's all about me. When I give God the Glory he deserves in all that i do. When I read His Word and pray Daily. I am more likely to be focused on Him and not myself. This is when the spirit of discernment will work through me and my first thought is. Help me Jesus. Not how am I going to handle this.