My friends are helping a homeless family who have lost their jobs, possessions, and ability to earn their way. Their life problems seem gigantic. The family has expressed their hopelessness in their seemingly insurmountable problems. And, it all does seem too big and difficult. Anyway, there's not going to be an easy fix. But. There's God. I don't always understand hardships but I do know that the presence of God in our life is better than anything or anyone else.
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (I Samuel 17:47, NIV).
I Samuel assures us that the battles belong to God. So, what did David do that an army of men did not do to win the battle?
David acknowledged the battle would be won through the power of God. He willingly faced the battle with courage, trusting God. And, the battle was won. A friend of mine would declare the win of this kind of battle to be a big-deal-hairy-audacious-miracle. It's the reality of the presence and power of God in our life. Whatever we face, when everything seems to be lost, when all things seem impossible, when we don't know what to do, we can be certain God will win our battle in ways which are beyond our own strength and ability. It is a matter of faith.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
Whether we are in good times or are facing difficulties, we are able to trust God for all things, for pain, for giant problems, for impossibilities.When we invite God into our life, we are given certainty God will be present and will fight our battles in amazing ways, beyond what we could ask for, think about, or ever imagine. There's no need to live in fear when we are in the presence of God. Consider the words of a young boy, David, who faced a giant that a whole army had feared:
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (I Samuel 17:47, NIV).
I Samuel assures us that the battles belong to God. So, what did David do that an army of men did not do to win the battle?
He faced the giant, running towards the battle, believing and trusting God to be the Warrior who would win the battle.As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him (I Same 17:48-50, NIV).
David acknowledged the battle would be won through the power of God. He willingly faced the battle with courage, trusting God. And, the battle was won. A friend of mine would declare the win of this kind of battle to be a big-deal-hairy-audacious-miracle. It's the reality of the presence and power of God in our life. Whatever we face, when everything seems to be lost, when all things seem impossible, when we don't know what to do, we can be certain God will win our battle in ways which are beyond our own strength and ability. It is a matter of faith.
- Cross over from fear to faith, willingly and courageously face the battles of the day.
- Trust God to be present, to be more powerful than any battle, to be your Warrior.
- Face the battles of the day in and through the Spirit. Remember we are not to rely on our own power or might but to live by the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
- Celebrate the win.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)