Encouragement

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GOD Vs GOLIATH - 1 Samuel 17:1-11

"Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assmbled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to met the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armour 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.

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 kills me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve u." Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine' words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified."


This passage provides some background to the account of how David faced Goliath and vanquished him. I pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to many of you through God's Word today, and help you to be overcomers in those areas which are battlegrounds in your lives.

While the Bible does not speak of the origin of the Philistines, they were probably in the land of Canaan before the time of Abraham, because they are mentioned as a pastoral tribe (Genesis 21:32,34; 26:1,8). By the time of the Judges, we see that they had become a powerful and prosperous people, who pursued a policy of aggression against the Israelites.

Today's Word focuses on Goliath, and how he taunted and haunted the people of Israel, calling them into a battle they knew they could not win in their own strength. Goliath is described as a "champion". He was large and in charge, and not a comforting sight! Everything about him was huge and heavy; he wore armor weighing five thousand shekels (approximately 125 lbs), had bronze greaves (heavy protective coverings) on his legs, and his weapons were all custom made to cause death and destruction. 1 Samuel 17:16 tells us that "For forty days the Philistine came forward morning and evening and took his stand." He was sent by the army to discourage and destabilise the people of Israel, as morning and evening he taunted them and dared them to send a man to fight him and win. Each time he came stamping out of the Philistine army, the men of Israel trembled and feared, wringing their hands and despairing that their enemy was greater than they were! As he continued his daily verbal warfare, fear grew stronger in the men of God; as the days passed, they got ever weaker in their faith, and lost sight of the fact that they were the chosen, the head and not the tail, the temples of the Holy Spirit, the priests and kings in the Kingdom, and a part of a blessed generation!

Friend, you may be going through a situation in your life, where the enemy has brought accusation and condemnation upon your life. You may have even begun to doubt your relationship with God and His presence in your life because of the regular barrage of attacks on your thoughts each day and the sense of defeat and despair which engulfs you. It may feel like Goliath is calling you to an inevitable confrontation and an overwhelming defeat,but remember that Goliath was/is not too great for God! Remember he was destroyed in the end by the power of God and the faith of a young boy. God is able to give you the victory you seek!


The Scriptures tell us that the Philistine army was assembled at Socoh; this was land which belonged to the people of God. They (the Philistines) had pitched their camp at a place called Ephes Dammim, which interestingly, means "boundary of blood". Friend, the enemy may have placed his feet on your work, or home, your health, or some other aspect of your life, but do not lose sight of the fact that there is a boundary of Blood around you and everything connected to you. You are redeemed by the precious and powerful blood of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. You belong to Him. Whoever touches you touches the apply of His eye! The day you placed your life in His hands, He acquired ownership and Lordship over you. It is now not you who live, but Christ who lives in you! (Galatians 2:20). You do not have to fear defeat; you need not suffer anxiety that the Philistines, or Goliath are stronger than you - yes they may be, but He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4). The Philistines were very real and menacing, but there was a boundary of blood between the two armies. The battle was imminent and possible, but they had still not defeated the army of Israel - there was a valley between them.

Goliath wore down the people of God by his daily barrage of lies. These were rugged men of war, but he made them tremble with fear because of his frightful appearance and relentless approach. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". Satan's speaks the language of lies. He pretends to be what he is not. He can only successfully 'devour' a child of God if they choose to listen to his lies, and accept them as truth. Like Goliath, he makes a lot of noise, may bring pain or other symptoms, and may make you believe that all is lost, when the Word of God tells you the opposite. He may bring so many accusations and such real memories of sin that you may start to doubt that you were ever forgiven.

Precious people of God, choose today who you will believe! If you listen to that voice of lies, it will speak to you again and yet again. The more you listen to the lie, the more it will seem like truth to you. It will destroy your faith and set you up for defeat. Instead, stand on the Word of God which tells you that you are forgiven, cleansed, and imputed with the righteousness of Jesus. That your victory is not in your own strength or efforts, but in the power of the Spirit of Jesus! Know that in reality, there is a valley between the enemy and you. The day you surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus, you were separated unto Him by a boundary of Blood. You belong to Him and nothing can separate you from His love. (Romans 8:38 & 39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Hallelujah! Goliath is not too great for God to get! You are heading for Victory Valley, in Jesus' mighty name!

Minoli Haththotuwa, 11 October 2010
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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