SUNDAY May 19, 2019

The Enemy’s Ultimatum

Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”
1 Samuel 17:8-9

The Philistines brought the giant Goliath to the forefront of the battle to intimidate the armies of Israel. Notice the Philistine’s arrogant confidence. They knew the men of Israel were extremely afraid. Among Israel, who could be chosen to fight this fierce Philistine warrior?  There was no one found to fight him! The armies of Israel did not have their confidence in God. Instead of trusting in the Lord, tremendous fear came upon them.

Yet God wanted to fight in the battle.

Understand, this was not a physical battle, but a spiritual battle. It could not be fought in human terms. Saul wanted to use the strategy of a human army! In fact, they did not even pray! Soon we shall observe how David would come against the giant––it would not be in his physical strength, but in the name of the Lord. David’s confidence was in his God.

We can become like the armies of Israel––fearful of man. Fear will bring a snare to our lives. We fear man rather than fearing God. Then we shall not be in tune with God and what He wants to do in and through our lives. Seriously, the enemy will take advantage when he knows we do not have our confidence in God. Take heed to what 1 John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Seriously, there should be no fear when we have God on our side.

The reason we often lose our battles is because of our doubt, unbelief or sin. I do not think a child of God should ever lose a battle. It is so sad when we do. Are you aware that we have a promise in God’s Word that God is with us? There is no battle He cannot win.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
who can be against us?
~Romans 8:31~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!