The Grace to Stand Your Ground

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.”  Yesterday we left off the story with both armies mustered against each other, with nothing to separate them but the valley of Elah, and with Goliath (the giant) taunting the Israelite army and striking fear in their hearts.  Let’s pick up the story from there.

As we know by now, Jesse had eight sons.  His three oldest boys—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—were part of Saul’s army and they were within the ranks that were paralyzed with fear of Goliath.  David, being the youngest, was back at home tending to his father’s sheep.  Twice a day (morning and evening) for 40 days Goliath strutted in front of the Israelite army and made his offer, and for 40 days not one Israeli Soldier stepped forth.  Goliath’s words struck fear in Saul and his men.  The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” might have worked on the playground, but in real life words have power.  I have taught several series on the power of words and this case is a good example.

During this time Jesse asked David to take a basket of roasted grain and bread to his brothers on the frontline.  Jesse also sent cheese for the boys’ captain.  David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the food.  He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield.  David followed the army as they assembled on their side of the valley.  He left the food the Supply Sergeant as he looked for his brothers.  As soon as David found his brothers Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out from the enemy’s ranks to perform his daily taunt.  To David’s surprise, many Israeli Soldiers ran at the mere sight of Goliath.  David asked a few Soldiers why they were running and they replied, “Have you seen the giant?  He comes out each day to defy Israel.  The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him.  He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”  David asked for clarification on the reward, and his oldest brother, Eliab, heard David and got angry, saying, “What are you doing around here anyway?  What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of?  I know about your pride and deceit.  You just want to see the battle!”  “What have I done now?”, replied David.  “I was only asking a question!”  Ignoring his brother, David went to king Saul and said, “Don’t worry about this uncircumcised Philistine, I’ll go fight him!”  We’ll stop here for today.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things:
1.  Use your tongue to bless and not curse.  “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim” (Prov 15:4).

2.  Listen to every situation through the filter of faith.  David did not hear what the others heard.  David had recently been anointed and he heard the voice behind the voice.  Learn to do the same.

3.  As God to help you develop spiritual discernment.  As you learn to identify situations that are not of God, you will know what to resist and what to receive.

4.  Look at every situation through the lens of faith.  David did not see what the others saw.  They were looking through natural eyes and he saw Goliath through spiritual eyes.  That’s why he was not afraid.

5.  You have the grace to do whatever the Lord leads you to do.  David was led to fight Goliath and since the Lord led him to do it, then He would bless David through it.  The Lord is obligated to bless you when you are doing what He told you to do.  He will never leave you helpless when you are IN His will.

Closing Confession:  Father, I know I have a real enemy, who will come against me in real ways, but I also know I have a real God who has graced me to resist his threats by faith and to win when forced to fight.  I declare, by faith, that I have spiritual discernment to hear with spiritual ears and to see through spiritual eyes.  I am able to discern what I should resist and what I should receive.  On those occasions that I am led to resist the enemy, I take my stand in faith, not wavering, doubting, fearing, or flinching.  Having done all, I will stand.  If I get to the point where I am tired of standing, I will receive the grace to continue to stand, supernaturally, until my breakthrough comes.  I am not a coward and fear has no power over me.  I live by faith and I am ready to fight the good fight of faith at any moment.  I have the grace to resist the enemy and that same grace empowers me to win!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.