Psalms 108:12-13 Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
Today's verses reminded me of 1 Samuel 17. Goliath, a nine foot giant, was challenging the Israeli army, and every one of its soldiers, including King Saul, was afraid and ran from him. Along comes this young shepherd boy who dared challenge this seasoned warrior. To make matters even more laughable to Goliath, and probably the entire Philistine army that was standing by, this young shepherd boy came to a spear, armor, and shield fight with a staff, a sling, and a few smooth stones. When the dust finally settled, the giant lay dead on the battlefield, with the young shepherd boy victoriously holding up Goliath's decapitated head. What made the difference? What gave David, later King David, the courage to face that mountain of a man who should have been able to defeat him with relative ease? It was David's perspective and faith. King Saul and the Israeli army saw the battle as being their battle. David, on the other hand, like this psalmist's perspective, saw the battle as being the Lord's battle. He faced the giant knowing and trusting that this fight was not his fight, but God's fight. He knew that the victory would not necessarily come from him, but from the Lord, as he (David) accepted Goliath's challenge, in the Name of the Living God. Far too often we live defeated lives because we lack faith in God, and choose to fight the battles in our own strength. We use our own wisdom, and often seek the help of people who are of no real use to us on the battlefield. If we are going to truly live a victorious life (I did not say a prosperous life) we must fight more of our battles as one song says, "On our knees with our hands lifted high. Oh God, the battle belongs to you." While it is good to have brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us, there is a time when God calls us to just stand and face the battle, in His Name, and simply trust Him for the victory; because only He has the power to defeat the enemies we face each day. Let us not go to battle in our name, or the name of anyone other than the Name of our King of kings and Lord of lords.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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