and Tammy Phillips
April 20, 2020
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Ephesians 6:12 KJV
When I wrote the “You are a Wrestler” devotion, the story of David and Goliath came to mind. David trains us by example how to wrestle against the enemy.
LESSONS FROM DAVID (from 1 Samuel 17):
- The enemy was small from God’s view
By sight Goliath was a giant, but David was not moved by what he saw or heard. He knew his battle was not against flesh and blood of Goliath. God was with David and David knew it. David knew he was empowered by God. David was not fearful at all. David saw Goliath from God’s perspective and Israel chose to view their enemy through the eyes of man. If we choose a Godly perspective, looking down at the problem from seated in heaven, doesn’t it get super small? The higher our viewpoint the smaller the obstacle. Remember, “He hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus” [Eph 2:6 KJV]
- The enemy yelled loudly
Goliath was the big bully with a bullhorn who bullied Israel 40 days and nights. He instilled fear into Israel and they were greatly dismayed. Isn’t that what our enemy does with every problem? He tries to deceive and frighten us into believing that the problem is too gigantic for God. Remember, God laughs and says, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
- David called out the enemy
“Hey, Goliath! Who do you think you are? You think you can defy the armies of God?” We need to say this to every giant that appears on the scene of our lives. “Hey, pain in my knee. Who do you think you are? Jesus died for this pain. You are nothing to God. Lack go away; you are nothing to my God. Hey, fear. You don’t own me. I have the faith of God.”
- David said don’t worry
David to Saul: Don’t let your heart be troubled because of this giant! I’ll go out and fight him. Isn’t that what God tells us? Don’t worry. Don’t fear. I will go before you.
- Saul discouraged David from the battle
Saul to David: You are not able. You are only a kid…he is a warrior. We are wrestlers. We are warriors. We are over comers in Christ. We are empowered by God. We operate under the authority of the name above every name, Jesus. Don’t be discouraged by anyone or anything. Enter the ring.
- David recalled his victories in the face of other giants
“A lion came… I went out after him… God delivered. A bear came… I went out after it… It arose against me… I caught him, smote him, killed him. The Lord delivered me then, and he will deliver me now, from this giant.” We should not so easily forget where we are and how we arrived. We have many victories in life that we so easily forget. Call them to mind.
- David went to battle with his weapons
David tried to wrestle Goliath with Saul’s armor, but he was not used to it. It didn’t fit him. He could not go. It was not God’s plan for David. David had to go to battle with what he had. David picked up five rocks. He really picked up the ROCK of his salvation. He took God with him. I believe he could have knocked Goliath out with a toothpick because it was not his battle to win; it was God’s. We must take the Rock of Salvation with us into every battle. The Lord and His word will provide us with the knock-out punch we need.
- David went into battle head on.
David said to the Giant: “You come to me with your arsenal of weapons, BUT I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts…Today, the lord will deliver you into my hands…The lord saves not with sword and spear. The battle is the Lords and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:48-47) We need to follow David’s example and say to our giants, our mountains: In the name of Jesus, our salvation, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; we shall not doubt in our heart, but shall believe that those things which we say shall come to pass; we shall have whatsoever we say.
- David ran quickly to the battle line
Goliath came at David and David ran quickly to the battle line.
He did not entertain fear.
He trusted the Lord.
He took immediate action against the giant.
He did not fear the giant.
He was not amazed by the giant.
He saw God and not the giant.
He didn’t panic.
He didn’t run away.
He didn’t drop to his knees and ask the Lord to save him.
He ran right at the enemy because he knew who was backing him.
David cast what he had at the giant and one rock knocked him out.
It was not the stone that knocked out the giant. It was God with David.
Should we not follow David’s example?
I enCOURAGE you with the courage of David. Run quickly to the battle. Do not fear. The Rock of our Salvation will deliver you every time.
Complete in Him 