Warriors Arise: July 18, 2022
1 Samuel 17:40-41 (NKJV) Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him.
Did anyone else catch this? I did not know the big guy had help! He had someone else holding his shield! That was a total shock to me. Obviously, it didn't register in my mind any of the number of times I have read this passage of Scripture. I didn't realize the big guy, the one throwing around his weight, being a bully to Saul's army, had a sidekick. The big guy needed help. And the sidekick, man who bore the shield, went first!
I don't recall anyone going with David. No one volunteered to carry Saul's shield. Because, there was no volunteer. David was alone. Just like he was when tending his father's sheep. It was the sheep, David, and God. Then occasionally a bear or a lion and most likely other animals looking for dinner. David had fought the predator alone a number of times and God was with him then. He was counting on God being with him now.
David is walking out there all by himself. Doesn't seem fair that the big guy, the giant, had a sidekick, an armor bearer. The big guy needed help, alright. He just didn't realize how much help. The man who carried his shield was not going to be enough. Because they didn't realize David wasn't alone either. David was bringing God will him. God would be going before him in battle. There is a reason David penned so many of the Psalms. He experienced God and wrote about it.
Psalms 139:5 (NKJV) You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
David could be remembering this verse from Deuteronomy and applying it to his situation.
Deuteronomy 1:29-31 (NKJV) “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness (tending sheep) where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’
We also have the same promise from God.
2 Cor. 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
It doesn't matter who is standing with the enemy, you and I have the power of God within us, the protection of God hedging us in, and the presence of God going before us to fight our battles. Keep in mind, David still picked out the 5 smooth stones. He still walked onto the battlefield. He still slung the stone at Goliath and he fell dead. God didn't do it all and David didn't do it all. They did it together. The big guy picked the who's who he wanted as his sidekick and God chose who He wanted as his sidekick.
Father, I position myself before You. Is there a giant I need to face? Prepare me to go onto the battlefield knowing You are with me, knowing You hedge me in for my protection, knowing You lead me into triumph, knowing since God is with me who can be against me. You are my God. I will go into battle, because You are with me. I will position myself in Your presence and follow Your lead. I will not hide from the enemy who steals from me. I will not remain paralyzed in fear. I will remind myself what You have done and the times You and I defeated the enemy in the past. I will walk in the fullness of peace even when the battle rages around; because I know You are with me in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comentarios