Warriors Arise: July 11, 2022
1 Samuel 17:40 (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.
David carried his shepherd's bag into the battle against Goliath. Makes me wonder why. He had a pouch for the stones so why did he take his shepherd's bag? If this hadn't been over with one stone what would David need his shepherd's bag for?
A shepherd's bag would have been a pretty good size. Possible carrying some type of cover or cloak, food, a knife or dagger, maybe, it even had his water skin. However, the water skin would have probably hung separately. But I still am wondering why David would take his shepherd's bag when he had a pouch for the stones?
When I played golf competitively, I always wore a watch. I am not sure I ever checked the time during a round. However, one time, my watch band broke and I had to play without it. Something was off. Every once in a while I would give a slight shake to my wrist. I found myself squeezing my putter too strong or clutching onto my driver. I would loosen my grip and address the ball again. Something was off. The watch was a counter balance. Even though it was pretty small, it was a part of me. By not having my watch on my left wrist, I seemed to struggle with the correct pressure on my putter and it seemed like the more I tried the tighter my grasp was on my driver. I would take a deep breath in and slowly release to try and settle myself. It was just a watch. I didn't need to know the time. I never looked at it when I played, but not having it messed with me. I don't remember what my score was that day but I remember purposefully having to stay relaxed. Trust me, I got a new band put on my watch before the next meet. It was worse not having my watch on my wrist than competing in rain.
I wonder if David took his shepherd's bag for a similar reason. He would be used to it hanging at his side. He surely would not set it down on the ground every time he got to a new pasture with the sheep, because he would never know when he had to go get a sheep that was wondering off. He could spend hours trying to find his bag again. If he did have food in it he wouldn't want any critters to get in his food if he left it on the ground. I am pretty sure, he kept it with him. The shepherd bag was a counter balance. He had practiced his sling shot with his shepherd's bag on. He knew the feel and weight of the bag. He knew how it would slide around with each maneuver and flap against his body as he ran. The shepherd bag was essential to having proper balance, focus, and familiarity as he approached danger; as with the lion and the bear, now with Goliath.
When you have to go into battle against the world, your flesh or the devil, what do you have to have with you? What is your counter balance? What is it that is your position of strength. In golf, I played in all kinds of condition. My attire would change depending on the weather. I could start a meet with wind pants over shorts and windbreaker over a sweatshirt over a polo. By the end of the meet I might be down to the polo and shorts. But I had to have my watch! I realize how absurd that sounds. But I can't deny the facts. When there is something, a Goliath in my life, that I need to go to battle against what is it I have to make sure I have. It may seem totally useless, but it makes all the difference in my balance, focus and familiarity.
What brings you balance when you go into battle?
What brings you focus?
What is familiar?
I really like a particular movie where a warrior has a double sword scabbard on his back. When he is secure in his footing and the enemy is advancing he raises his arms over his head and pulls both words out at one time. That scene is what is forefront in my mind when there is a battle before me. When I am firmly planted on God's word, I can pull Scriptures as I raise my hands to heaven and pull my swords into position to battle the enemy. I don't battle well in a sitting position. I have to stand or be on my knees. I have to shut everything out of my mind. I must focus on what God is saying. I am not searching for Scriptures as much as I am listening for the Holy Spirit to reveal the Scriptures I need and how to apply them in this battle. How do I fight from a position of familiarity? I have to position myself in the presence of God. I learned long ago, fighting the world, flesh or the devil is a losing battle, if I am not positioned in the presence of God. I do not have enough willpower to defeat the world, my flesh or the devil. I must fight from a position of home field advantage, in my Father's presence. David knew this.
Psalms 23:5 (NKJV)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
We pray from a position of being in the Father's presence. We fight the world, our flesh and the devil when we are in the Father's presence. We focus on our mind on what the Spirit of God is saying. We do not need to rattle off a bazillion Scriptures. It only takes one to strike a fatal blow. No matter where I am, I could be in a crowd of people, my van with my kids all singing at the top of their lungs and really need to pray. So, I can shut myself into a space and focus on God to get the Scripture needed. God is waiting for me to enter into the secret place. There are times I can't stop. I can't pull over and get on my face before God. I have to be able to block out what is going on around me and hear God.
Matthew 6:6-8 (NKJV) But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
I can't afford to for something to be off for very long. There is too much as stake. I believe each one of us has a destiny we are to fulfill. The enemy will do everything he can to derail us from our purpose. We must submit our flesh before God and allow Him to refine us to make us like Him (Eph. 5:1). We live in the world, but we are not of the world. We must guard our heart and mind to keep it pure; so that nothing is off, everything is working for our good.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
David needed his shepherd's bag. He needed everything to be in balance as he took out the giant before him. He needed balance, focus, and familiarity from his everyday routine that led him to kill the lion and the bear. How about you? Do you have everything to be in balance, focused, and familiar to naturally fight the Goliath who is trying to enslave you and your family?
Father, I ask for You to come and make me aware of where I need balance in my life, especially in regard to accurately knowing Your Word. I need to be able to focus on You in the midst of the battle that rages around me. When the enemy taunts and tries to pull me out of my secret place of battle I will press in to You. I will enter into the secret place and not allow the enemy, the world or my flesh to pull me out. I will find Your presence and focus on Your voice to lead me. I will be familiar with Your lead. I will not question what You say. I will respond quickly. I will not analyze what You have said. I will do what You have said without hesitation. I will find balance, focus and familiarity in You, to face the giant who comes at me from the world, my flesh and the devil. I will be more than a conqueror, because of Christ in me in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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