This Is War
1 Samuel 17:1-3, 11, 29
We read in the text about the infamous confrontation of the Israelites and the Philistines. You need to know that this was one of several battles that transpired in a seemingly perpetual war between the Israelites and the Philistines. On this particular moment, they had gathered in the valley of Elah to engage in the fight. There was going to be bloodshed and destruction, and many people were going to die, but one of them was going to be victorious.
Everyone in the Israelite camp anticipated that this was going to be just another typical battle against a typical Philistine army. Until all of the sudden, a giant of a man came out of the Philistine camp to lead the charge. He was over nine feet tall, and was called a champion. His strength was unlike anyone else: he wore a bronze helmet and shin guards and carried a bronze sword, which had a tip on it that weighed over 15 lbs. He was dressed in armor that was over 125 lbs. This man was intimidating to look at, and carried a presence about him that reaped fear in the hearts of all those that looked upon him.
It was common in that day when Israel would go to war they would send out messengers to muster troops together to go fight. When the call was given, Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah, all sons of an old man named Jesse from Bethlehem in the land of Judah, went with them. Together with several hundred other people, they stood there cringing at the fact that for over 40 days this huge man has come out and yelled for Israel to send a man to him to fight. He cried out “this day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other”. He was even so sure of his victory that he said if the man comes out and kills him, the Philistines will become slaves to Israel. But if the Philistines win, Israel will serve them.
Jesse had a youngest son named David. He didn’t go to war alongside his brothers, but rather went back and forth to check on his brothers and back home to tend his father’s sheep. On one of those occasions his father said to take some grain and bread to his brothers, and 10 cheeses to their commanding officer. He wanted David to bring back a report of what was going on. It happened to be that when David showed up, he heard the usual defiance of Goliath. When Israel heard him, all of Israel ran for fear.
It reached a point of desperation for Israel; so much so that Saul the king said he was willing to give great wealth, give his daughter’s hand in marriage, and exempt his father’s house from taxes to the person who kills Goliath. David heard it and asked the men standing around him to repeat it. David, boastfully and boldly asks “who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” *His brothers all told him he was conceited and wicked in heart. But David belted out in response: “Is there not a cause to fight for? THIS IS WAR!”
I don’t think I have to remind you that we’re not playing games with the devil. He is without a doubt on the warpath and ready to destroy people’s livelihood, hopes, dreams, finances, health, ministries, etc. This is serious stuff. This is not for the faint hearted or the weak-kneed. This is war ladies and gentleman. And it’s time to start acting like it!
You see Satan is not pulling any stops. He’ll come at you from every direction. You can mark it down he’s got his eyes set on you. Your enemy is prepared to overtake you. But if you’re saved you’ve got a weapon that the devil has become all too familiar with through the years: God the father, Jesus the son, and the HG. And it is time to engage in battle, and quit trying to think it’s going away on its own. Stand up and fight: this is war!
Luke 10:19 “Behold I give you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”
I want you to see some things from this story:
(1)Israel had battled the Phil. for a long time, but had never seen anything like this. Fear didn’t have such a hold on them when it was ordinary man versus ordinary man. But when they looked at this guy, huge in size and brute in strength, they were certain they would loose.
There is not one Christian I know that hasn’t faced some trial in their Christian walk. Everyone has moments of displeasure and struggling. We all have days we don’t want to go on, but somehow the Lord shows up and things are alright. *But some of you are here and you haven’t ever seen the likes of the problem you have today. Nothing has seemed so horrendous, so huge, so terrifying. Somehow you must grab a hold of one powerful truth: “Greater is he…” Luke 9:1 says he gave his disciples authority over ALL devils. Sure it may seem like you’re doomed, but God, who lives inside you, is greater than every devil, demon, and imp of hell that is terrorizing you’re life.
(2)Notice the story of David. He was a shepherd boy that in Chptr.16 was picked to be the next king of Israel. He had the anointing oil poured on him, had the spirit imparted to him, and the calling confirmed in him. He just didn’t have the throne yet. There was a process of promotion he had to go through. He first ended up being a musician for Saul during his somber moments, a very humbling experience. Now he is having to fight a giant that he didn’t bargain on fighting. But this was all part of his promotion process.
There are too many people wanting to go straight from a fresh born-again experience to the spiritual palace of luxury. But it don’t work that way. You must go through some stuff to get you ready for what’s ahead. That great anointing you’ve been looking for comes through aggressive prayer/fasting. That great breakthrough you’ve been believing for comes through persistence and faith. The victory you are searching for is only coming when you are willing to face the giants of your life. So stand up and fight! If you want to reach your destiny in the kingdom, get up and go. But know this: the trial he brings you to, you must go through. But when all is said and done, there will be unspeakable joy because victory has come your way!
(3)Something intrigued David when he heard the people talk about the rewards Saul was offering for the one who would kill Goliath. What a blessing it would be to become tied to royalty through marriage w/ the king’s daughter. How great it would be to tell your daddy he doesn’t have to pay taxes anymore. And who wouldn’t want to have great wealth? But there was something greater developing in this man who was after God’s own heart. READ V. 45-46 It was time to let the enemy know God was in the camp of Israel and he was going to bring them victory.
I’ve got to tell you, there’s a reason to fight this war. This is not something we have to consider the legitimacy of. We have to fight for the sake of our families, our health, our finances, our church, our peace of mind. I’m telling you, we have a righteous cause to fight for. 1 Cor. 15:57-58 “But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord JC. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the lord. Forasmuch as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord”. WE HAVE A REASON TO FIGHT!!
(4)David was full of confidence that he was going to be victorious. He was so certain of victory Bible says he ran to the enemy to fight him. There was no doubt in his mind. He wasn’t going to do it by using some great armor or weapon, but by the power of God. And he took a smooth stone, thrust it out, and killed the great giant of Gath.
You too must be certain of victory in this war. You must be confident that you’re the winner and the devil is the loser. He’s doing like Goliath: cursing you and mocking you. It’s time to let him know that he is defeated. Your weapon is not carnal but you are mighty through God.
