“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
The key to our victory is not necessarily how well we can do what we do, or how effective we are at what we undertake, but understanding that we serve a God who is awesome, majestic and all powerful, who is ready and willing to intervene in our daily lives.
Rely on Jesus, listen for his guidance, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). Hearing the voice of Jesus makes all the difference and yes he speaks, he will be found of those who diligently seek after him. Make Jesus your pursuit above all pursuits, this year. Walking in victory is walking in Jesus, for with them is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
We are the only people who know the outcome of a battle before we actually engage in combat. We already have the victory, because we are on the winning side. Never rely totally on the arm of flesh because they will fail. According to Psalms 118:8; “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. (Psalm. 118:7)
Be strong in the Lord, for he is your shield and buckler. Make your daily declaration; “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid”.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).”
The same God that was with Daniel, the same God that was with Joseph, the same God that was with the three Hebrew boys and the same God that was with David, is the same God with me today. So rise up, go forth and accomplish what God has placed on your heart.
God wants you to believe him and walk in confidence!
A very important part of our Christian experience comes from believing God. When you are confronted with a situation that requires much more than you can humanly possibly give, what will you do? David says “Trust in the Lord and be of good courage (Psalm 27:14).” We are careful to trust God for certain things, but when it comes to our future, crafts, careers and what’s in our hands, we tend to focus in on our self efforts. Discovering the world of greatness that God has in-store, awaits all who rely on him for help. When David admonishes us to trust in the Lord he was speaking from experience. When David admonishes us to trust in the Lord he was speaking from experience.
There are some significant lessons that we can learn from David’s “God confidence” and allowing God to perfect his craft.
David came onto the scene upon his father’s request to take food and inquire of his brothers’ wellbeing. There he heard Goliath, the champion of the Philistines of Gath, hurling insults at the army of the Living God (1 Sam 17:23).
David’s “God confidence” kicks in
King Saul was told about David’s boldness and sent for him. What would cause this king to send for a young and inexperienced boy? Saul was desperate, forty days of Goliath’s threats were too long (1Samuel 17:8 -11). He needed a quick, workable plan. David encouraged Saul not to let any man’s heart fail because he will take on this Philistine.
What would cause David to stand boldly before the king and make such a promise, when he had never been in such a battle before? David’s “God confidence” kicks in. There was no doubt in his mind that Goliath would fall today. There was no fear, hesitation, indecisiveness in his heart concerning this battle. He was audacious and more courageous than the sum total of all Israel’s warriors together. His boldness captured the attention of King Saul and pushed him to believe as well.
Sharpening your skills
David was sharping his skills in the fields with the bear, the lion and whatever else. When you think of a little boy and a sling in an open field all day long, this would be a craft he would learn and master very quickly. David was sharp with his sling, it was a perfect tool in his hands, but yet he did not placed confidence in this tool alone, to get the job done. David knew he had the craft down packed, hitting Goliath square between his eyes on his forehead, was nothing short of a master marks man. Yet the power of God was needed to do a precise job. Don’t forget Goliath had his helmet, his shield and his breastplate on, he was well protected. Like David said to him; bravely, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head (1 Samuel 17: 45)”. David’s skill could take him thus far, but God’s power completed the assignment.
While you may have confidence in yourself and your craft, still put God first. God- reliance is healthier than self- reliance. Even if you are an expert, put God first. There may be a battle, test, trial, situation that your craft is not equipped enough to handle. There your “God confidence” kicks in. Let God take your abilities to another level. Express confidence in God and his ability to work miracles in your life. Sharpen your skills in the word of God, feed your spirit with the Daily Word and release it in the sling of prayer. Do not take it for granted, your prayer life cannot be successful without the word. Take time to put the word of God in you and when you need your “God confidence” to kick in it will.
May your faith be stronger today than it ever was.
As I was reading this morning I came upon the description of this Psalm in my Joyce Myers Bible and thought it would be great to share with you.
Psalm 143: 3- 10Gives a description of depression and how to overcome it. Joyce explains this passage in detail, let’s follow along to see the steps we can take to defeat this attack of the enemy.
Psalm 143:3 Identify the nature and cause of the problem. David says he feels as if he is dwelling in “dark places as those who have been long dead.” this certainly sounds to me like a description of o someone who is depressed. I believe that the source of depression described here is our enemy, Satan, who attacks the soul.
Psalm 143:4 Recognize that depression steals life and light. Depression oppresses a person’s spiritual freedom and power. Our Spirits (empowered and encouraged by God’s spirit) are powerful and free. Therefore Satan seeks to oppress our spirits’ power and liberty by filling our minds with darkness and gloom. Please realize that it is vital to resist the feeling called “depression” immediately when we begin to sense it. The longer it is allowed to remain, the harder it becomes to resist.
Psalm 143:5 Remember the good times. In this verse we see David’s response to his condition. Remembering, meditating, and pondering are all functions of the mind. He obviously knows that his thoughts will affect his feelings, so he gets busy thinking about the kinds of things that will help overcome the attack upon his mind. He thinks about God and the good things he does.
Psalm 143:6 Praise the Lord the in midst of the problem. David knows the importance of praise; he lifts in hands in worship. He declares what his need truly is. He needs God. Far too often when people get depressed, it is because they are in need of something, and they seek it in the wrong place, which only adds to their problems. God alone can water a thirsty soul. Do not be deceived into thinking anything else can satisfy you completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you disappointed, and disappointment opens the door to depression.
Psalm 143:7 Ask for God’s help. He is basically saying, “Hurry up, God, because I am not going to hold on very much longer without you.”
Psalm 143:8 Listen to the Lord. David knows that he needs to hear from God. He needs to be assured of God’s love and kindness. He needs God’s attention and direction.
Psalm 143:9 Pray for deliverance. Once again David declares that only God can help him. Please notice that throughout this discourse, he keeps his mind on God and not on the problem.
Psalm 143:10 Seek God’s wisdom, knowledge, and leadership. Perhaps David is indicating that he has gotten out of the will of God and thus opened the door to the attack on his soul. He wants to be in God’s will because he realizes that it is the only safe place to be. Then he requests that God help him to be stable. He wants his unsettled emotions to be level- not up and down.
Whatever you are facing today mediate on God’s word and apply its principles to your life. Be empowered to life a victorious Christian life.
In today’s daily Inspirational quotes discover some of the promises of God you can claim as a believer. God’s promises can be found in his word. You cannot separate God from his word or his promises. His promises are there for us to claim, they are there for us to rely and trust in. God’s promises are his word and his word is his bond. He honors his word above his name. There are promises of healing, peace, deliverance, prosperity and many more.
2 Cor1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
1 JOHN 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Matt 7:7-11
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God will always stand by his word regardless, He is waiting to hear from you. Call on him, he is ready and willing to answer and fulfill his plans for your life. God’s plans are more sure than yours, follow his leading and your destination will be amazing!
Jeremiah 1:12b
God says “For I am watching over My word to perform it.” If God’s word dwell in your heart then he is watching over his word to perform it, to perfect it and to fulfill it in your life today!
Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
MATTHEW 6:31-33
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
1 CHRONICLES 29:11-12
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
JEREMIAH 17:7-8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Malachi 3:10-12
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”Says the LORD of hosts. And all nations will call you blessed For you will be a delightful land,”Says the LORD of hosts.
JAMES 1:5-7
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and up-braideth not: and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothering wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
JAMES 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Phil. 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Samuel 17:1-48 The power of prayer and the power of the word cannot be over emphasized in the life of a believer. It is not just enough to live and exist on the earth; but living victoriously and wonderfully, making a mark in the earth, positively affecting lives for eternity, is the life God designed for his people. These do not come without their trials and testings but the victor lives on the inside of us.
The Power of God and courage faith
David was the youngest of his father’s children. He was a good shepherd whose days were spent out in the fields tending to the needs of his father’s sheep. While in the fields of Bethlehem, David discovered the God of Israel. It was during this time that God called and anointed David as king. David’s anointing did not exempt him from the troubles he was about to face in the fields. He knew who he was and what he was anointed to do. His encounter with the bears and the lions were simply stepping stones to prove God in greater ways.
Jesse sent David on his assignment to take care of his brothers, but God had a different assignment for David (the deliverance of his people). God was preparing David for an incredible task that lies ahead. 1 Samuel 17: 20 “Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed.” David was just a boy-inexperienced, full of zeal and excited about his future.
Negatives – The odds were against him
1. David had no experience like Goliath did. Goliath was known as the undefeated champion from his youth. Now he would be known as a veteran.
1 Samuel 17: 4 – 7 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels, on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
2. The people of Israel were afraid of their enemies’ threats
1Samuel 17:8 -11 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
3. Goliath defied the army of Israel for forty days morning and evening until they were pretty discouraged.
This was a fine scare tactic he used against the people of God, wearing their minds out long enough until they lost all self –confidence and God-confidence. The number forty was so significant to Israel; Moses was 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the desert, and 40 years in the wilderness leading the children of Israel. Moses was on Mount Sinai twice with God for 40 days and 40 nights receiving the Law. Twelve spies investigated the Promised Land for 40 days (http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref). Israel knew that after forty, something was about to happen. The number forty, points to and symbolizes trial and testing, but it seems as though God always shows up and intervenes on His people’s behalf.
4. David’s brother was against him, he was upset with David’s seemingly pompous attitude.
1 Samuel 17:28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
5. Saul was not in favor of David fighting Goliath and he did not believe a boy of David’s stature could undertake such a huge task.
1 Sam 17:33. “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
6. David was no match for this strong Philistine veteran warrior – He had no physical protection, or sophisticated weaponry to conquer his opponent. David was only armed with a sling shot and some stones.
Positives- the odds were undeniably in his favor
1. David was not pompous, as it would appear to the human eye, he was rather God-confident. He knew where his strength lies.
2. David put Goliath in the same category of the bear or lion. He answered Saul with great God- confidence.
1 Samuel 17: 34- 37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
David addressed Goliath- David had total confidence in God’s ability to bring Goliath down
1 Samuel 17: 45 – 46 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”
3. The forty day period was not so much God stretching Israel’s faith; he could have delivered them in one day, but He wanted them to trust in His ability to save them from the Philistines. However, God always has a plan; He was positioning the young David within those forty days to believe him for victory. The exercise was effortless for David because he was relying on God’s supernatural strength, he was truly depending on God’s super power to deliver them.
Notice, David did not approach the situation in fear or with reservations in his heart, he was absolutely sure, fully persuaded, that the same God who slay the bear and the lion is the same God who is well able to slay the giant.
What giants are you facing today?
You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. David went into the battle knowing already that he was a winner. He went into the battle knowing that victory was assured. So can you and me today. Jesus has already won the battle, we can do just like David. Take the word of God as your stone and release the word in the sling of prayer and watch God move on your behalf.
Goliath with all his shield, bronze helmet, spear, javelin and all the physical protection he could possibly wear, was no defense against the power of God.
Do not take your “behind the scenes” years lightly, where no one sees or knows you. God does. Take the opportunity like David to know God even better. You will need it.
The same God who helped you destroy the bears and lions in your life is the God who will help you slay your Goliath.
Declare boldly just like David: 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Be blessed! Advancing the Kingdom of God in the earth!
Be inspired to walk in “God confidence” today. I know you have your self- confidence, but I want to encourage you to walk in “God confidence”. God is your most reliable, unseen partner, who is with you everywhere you go.
Wouldn’t you rather have God on your team everyday? Your faithful partner forever. His friendship is the only relationship that will truly last forever. He cannot go against His word and He cannot suddenly change His mind about his promises concerning you. That’s a partner for life for me.
Heb 10:35 says Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. Don’t throw away your confidence in God because you discovered that man is not trustworthy.
Mediate on Psalms 89:28-37 God has committed Himself to keep His covenant with David forever. He promises to establish David’s line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure, even if David’s sons violate his commands, and forsake his law. That’s amazing! He is not willing to betray his faithfulness toward you.
Take your God confidence with you all day long and enjoy an amazing day.
Psalm 89:28-37
New International Version (NIV)
28 I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. 29 I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. 30 “If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, 31 if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, 32 I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; 33 but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. 35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David— 36 that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; 37 it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”
God is an ever present help in times of need. We can always count on Him to be exactly who He is, A very present help!
Psa. 46:1 AMP. God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Isaiah. 33:2 AMP. O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm [of Your servants—their strength and defense] every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.
Psa. 68:20 AMP. God is to us a God of deliverances and salvation; and to God the Lord belongs escape from death [setting us free].
Psa. 91:2-3 AMP. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
Psa. 32:7 AMP. You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance.
Psa. 28:7-8 AMP. The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.The Lord is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.
Ephesians 3:16 AMP. May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
Psa. 118:14 AMP. The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation.
Philippians 4:13 AMP. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Isaiah 40:29 AMP. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 AMP. But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) andshow themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
Psalm 119:28 AMP. My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.
Ephesians 6:10 AMP. In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Isaiah 40:31 AMP. But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Isaiah. 12:2 AMP. Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.
Isaiah 40:29-31 AMP. He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Habakkuk 3:19 AMP. The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
Strengthen your prayer today with God’s word that brings calm assurance to your heart.
According to Spurgeon ‘ “Pray without ceasing.” That precept at one stroke overthrows the idea of particular times wherein prayer is more acceptable or more proper than at others. If I am to pray without ceasing, then every second must be suitable for prayer, and there is not one unholy moment in the hour, nor one unaccepted hour in the day, nor one unhallowed day in the year. The Lord has not appointed a certain week for prayer, but all weeks should be weeks of prayer: neither has he said that one hour of the day is more acceptable than another.
All time is equally legitimate for supplication, equally holy, equally accepted with God, or else we should not have been told to pray without ceasing. It is good to have your times of prayer; it is good to set apart seasons for special supplication—we have no doubt of that; but we must never allow this to gender the superstition that there is a certain holy hour for prayer in the morning, a specially acceptable hour for prayer in the evening, and a sacred time for prayer at certain seasons of the year. Wherever we seek the Lord with true hearts he is found of us; whenever we cry unto him he heareth us. Every place is hallowed ground to a hallowed heart, and every day is a holy day to a holy man.
From January to December the calendar has not one date in which prayer is forbidden. All the days are red-letter days, whether Sabbaths or week days they are all accepted times for prayer. Clear, then, is it from the text, that the voice, the posture, the place, the time—none of them enter into the essence of prayer, or else, in this case, we should be commanded to perform an impossibility, which we are quite certain is not after the manner of the Lord our God.’
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
