How to Win in Battle
“David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37 /// “…for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26 “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47
Life is full of battles, isn’t it? The well-known Bible story of David and Goliath contains six great lessons on how to win in battle.
The right motive. David fought the battle so the world would see God! Winning wasn’t about getting something for himself. It was about God!
The right confidence. He remembered past victories he had secured, giving ALL glory to God, and continuing to place his confidence in God.
The right trust. No matter how impossible it seemed he would win against his gigantic, intimidating opponent and all his weapons, he declared he would fight and win because of God! He put his trust in God, not himself!
The right faith. He refused to be intimidated by his opponent’s size, strength, and words. His faith was in God.
The right weapons. Instead of using King Saul’s armor given him, he used seemingly useless stones and a sling because he sought his strength and victory in the name and authority of the Lord.
The right attitude. Humility. He knew the battle and victory belonged to God.
EVERYTHING about David’s victorious battle was about God! How often do we see our battles as about us, having the wrong motives, confidence, trust, faith, weapons, and attitude? We need to be sure it’s God who has called us into a battle and not we ourselves. Some of our battles result from sin, and we need to repent and be free from them. Others God calls us into for His purpose and glory. How often I have engaged in battles God never sent me into, or gone into battles He sent me into but fought with self-centered motives and in my weakness rather than in His strength for His glory.
May your battles and victories be all about God!