Breakthrough In Jerusalem

BREAKTHROUGH IN JERUSALEM

I am thankful today that God has helped me in many difficult times. Each of us can remember times when God has helped us face what seemed to be impossible situations. We are victorious because of His promise found in -

Romans 8:37

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Like many of you, I have had to face all kinds of obstacles (in my life).

But God has always been there for me.

There have been times when I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I personally know what defeat can mean while trying to provide for a growing family.

It seemed no matter how hard you work, things just didn’t seem to ever get better. As a young father, I can remember –

· When I thought I was finally going to get ahead in life only to have to face another setback.

· There would be that occasional pay raise (at work) followed by another unexpected monthly bill/expense.

· Going to work asking myself,

“Would someone just give me a break?”

Some of you know what I am talking about. You work hard enough, long enough, and then your break finally comes. A small victory takes place.

What a relief?

When suddenly you have a breakthrough and your problems are finally solved.

Well what’s my point?

I would suggest that there are some here today that need a breakthrough to take place in their walk with God.

Listen carefully. A breakthrough in your day-to-day life can mean a lot to us.

But a breakthrough in a spiritual crisis can take on a much greater meaning.

I want us to look at a short story of victory for God’s people, that is found in –

Text: II Samuel 5:17 thru 20

As our story tells us, Young David –

· Had just been appointed and anointed to be king over Israel.

· Was new on the job, and had never been a king before.

· Now had tremendous responsibilities in keeping the safety and well being for all of God’s people.

What was expected of David was very new to him. Right away God showed favor on King David. King David and God’s army went into a city named Zion and drove out a people called the Jebusites. God had promised Israel that the city of Zion would belong to them.

So the battle was easily won.

What a great day that must have been for King David and the nation of Israel?

This city of Zion was captured and given a new name. It would now, and forever more, be known to the world as the

“City of David - the holy city - Jerusalem.”

This new day for King David and the nation of Israel was the beginning of the most prominent and historical city the world would ever know. Jerusalem would become the physical and spiritual stronghold for the nation of Israel.

It soon became a safe haven of refuge for all of God’s people where all of their needs would be met. We watch the news and we know (in these last days) Jerusalem is a dangerous place to live.

In spite of the violence and turmoil we know is taking place in Jerusalem (this morning), God still has a plan of ultimate victory for the holy city of Jerusalem.

Likewise - God has planned an eternal victory and a breakthrough for each of us in the Jerusalem.

I want to show you how He did that for young King David, and how He is still doing this for you and I.

First, we should know that we are to –

1. Go to the enemy’s camp.

The enemy had encamped itself just outside of Jerusalem.

Perhaps you feel your enemy (the devil) is camped out on your doorstep, also…???

In our story, David’s enemy (the Philistines) had “deployed themselves in the valley of Rephaim.”

This would be the Philistine’s last-ditch effort to destroy the (new and young) King David before he had a chance to establish himself in his authority.

There is a close similarity here for each of us to see. Let me say that the devil –

· Is not at all happy about you growing stronger in the authority of your strong & mighty king, King Jesus.

· May decide to surround you and take his best shot at you.

How do I know this to be true?

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Resist him, (be) steadfast in the faith,

In the case of our text, King David had seen (over the years) the many defeats the Philistines had had over Israel.