How to Maintain Faith when David loses a Battle
It would be almost impossible to go out onto the highways and dusty roads and mention David and Goliath without immediately being met with signs of name recognition.
The story, found in 1 Samuel, is part of the oral and written history of the world, but I dare say the meaning of the story will vary from person to person. Many might say it represents the helpless going up against someone or something much more advanced. Someone might say it is about God taking care of the weak when they face a giant foe. But my friends, this story is about so much more than the little guy overcoming the giant, because the giant is wicked.
In fact, now is the time that you may be looking around and wondering, if God intervened for David at that time, what about now, when there is an all-out assault on truth, integrity and the rule of law?
You may be at a point where the Hebrew Christians found themselves — having a crisis of faith.
We all wrestle with what our weary eyes see and the deep-seated grief that arises when a version of the truth is preferred over the facts. However, I want you to know that the Bible instructs us to “Fix your eyes on Jesus” because He is the perfecter of faith. Hold on to your faith, because joy is before you. Jesus endured much grief to deliver you from weariness and to encourage you during your time of trouble. Read Hebrews 12:1-6.
In the desire to see God’s merciful move during this season, let us arm ourselves with the truth. Matthew 10:16 tells us to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. In other words, in all our getting, let us pursue wisdom, and do no harm to the innocent.
As we explore some points from the battle of David and Goliath, we must first understand:
1) The battle was never David’s battle. Deuteronomy 20 (ESV) said, “1. When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt…”
A: This promise belongs to you because you are a child of God. The covenant promise covers you.
B: None of us walked out of Egypt. That refers to the covenant. But over the years, God has done something for you. You were in the wrong place, with the wrong person, doing the wrong thing, but God spared your life and gave you another chance to get it right. You cannot explain it, but that car accident should have taken you out, but here you are. God did it! All that you have endured through a toxic childhood, the abuse, the neglect, you should have lost your mind, but God gave you extra strength to make it through, and He showed you that you are more than a survivor, you are an overcomer! God did it. The battle is not yours!
2) David walked in his anointing. David did not go over to Saul and begin to organize the army to take on the Philistines. He kept it simple because God did not anoint him to lead an army at that time. David did not run back home to try to recruit more soldiers. David was set aside to do that one thing at that one particular time to rid his people of Goliath. What are you anointed to do in this season to advance God’s work and to defeat Goliath?
3) David encouraged his faith with words. David said, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty…” We must encourage our faith, recognizing that the strength is not in us. The strength is in Jehovah (Lord)!
St. James AME Church is located at 360 Dorothy St. in Charleston and worship service is held on the first and third Sundays of each month at 11 a.m. You may also join us on Zoom - pastorv.com.
