Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Take a look at the television schedule, the Twitter feeds,
or the daily newspapers. If you haven’t
noticed already, football season is in full swing. Everyone is rooting for their favorite team. Whether or not you are an avid football fan
or not, I want you to consider the fact that life is a lot like a football
game. We run interference, we may even
fumble the ball, but with God’s help, we will ultimately find ourselves on the
winning team. And before we victoriously
make every touchdown, we can rest assured that God will help us tackle the
giants we encounter along the way.
David knew firsthand that God would help His children
overcome the giants in our lives. And in
his case, he went up against a real, live giant named Goliath. Other people doubted this young man’s
ability to defeat Goliath, but David knew that God was on his side. David said, “‘The Lord who
delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver
me from the hand of this Philistine’” (I Samuel 17:37). David didn’t read a book on how to slay a
giant. He didn’t Google what weapons he
needed to attempt to fight such an enormous man. He simply relied on God to provide a way when
there seemed to be no way. David knew in
his heart that all things are possible with God.
Moses encountered a similar problem. He needed to lead a large number of people to
the other side of the Red Sea. There was
one major problem though. They did not
have even one boat. There wasn’t a large
bridge spanning the distance either. To
make matters worse, they were being pursued by the Egyptians, so time was of
the essence. Moses turned the problem
over the God, and raised his hand. The
Bible says, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove
the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry
land, and the waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21). Moses didn’t use his GPS to find the nearest
ferry station or use his cell phone to call 911. He put his trust in the One who is able to do
abundantly more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
David and Moses are not the only ones who have faced giants
in their lives. I have encountered my
share of trials and tribulations as well.
When I was little, my two baby brothers passed away as infants. At ten years of age, I lost my first
grandparent. Since then, I have lost
three of my grandparents. I’ve spent months
in the hospital, including the weeks when I was born premature and lifeless and
the weeks I nearly lost my life when I was a teenager due to a perforated
colon. Most recently, I lost my
Mama. This was the most difficult thing
I have ever had to face. But through it
all, one thing has never wavered. That
is my faith in Jesus Christ.
Life is not always easy.
The news is filled with giants that threaten our health, our finances,
our environment, and so much more. But
even with the uncertainty in the world, I find sweet rest in the fact that
Jesus is always with us. He will see us
through. I am reminded of a song I sing
with the Florida Worship Choir and Orchestra: “No matter the storms that come
my way, No matter the trials I may face, You promised that You would see me
through. So, I will trust in You.” I do not put my trust in secular entities,
religious and political figures, or any other thing on this earth. I put my trust in Jesus Christ, the Truth,
the Life, and the Way. He is the only
hope we have in this world.
What or who is the giant in your life? Is it a pile of financial burdens or a severe
illness that has you bedridden? Could it
be a job that has you overstressed?
Perhaps it is a friend or family member who constantly torments you with
negativity. Whatever circumstances you
may find yourself in, rest assured that God is with you. He is aware of the giant you face. Just as he provided David with smooth stones
and a slingshot, Moses with a staff, and me with peace in many heartbreaking
and uncertain situations, He will also provide you with the means to face your
giants. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will restore your joy, fill your heart
with peace, and help you tackle the giants in your life!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
When was the last time you heard someone say, “I can’t?” Or perhaps you recently heard someone remark, “That’s impossible!” Many times in life, we find ourselves faced with challenges that truly seem insurmountable. Our family may have unreasonable expectations of our abilities, our boss may ask too much of us, and our friends may become disappointed if we cannot be there for them every single time they need us. God may often give us a task that seems impossible. But it is in these moments when we feel so unqualified, so insignificant, that God reminds us that He makes all things possible. In our own strength, we can do nothing, but with God’s strength, we can do anything! By putting our faith in God, all things become possible!
One of the prime examples of the impossible becoming possible comes from the book of I Samuel. A young man by the name of David finds himself in the midst of a battle. Completely unprepared for the encounter, he is pitted against the largest man on the opposing side: Goliath. Now Goliath is a giant, both literally and figuratively. The Bible calls him a “champion” and says that he stood at a height of 9’9” or 3 meters (I Samuel 17:4). Compare Goliath to David, the youngest son of Jesse, one of Saul’s servants. David does not spend time on the battlefield, but spends most of his time tending his father’s sheep. When David says that he will fight the Philistine, even King Saul himself is doubtful of David’s ability to conquer the giant. Saul said, “‘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’” (I Samuel 17:33). Even so, David has something that Goliath does not have: faith in God.
David knows that God will protect him from all harm, just as He promises in His Word. He said, “‘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’” (I Samuel 17:37). David is offered Saul’s very own tunic, as well as a bronze helmet, coat of armor, and sword. But he wasn’t used to all of that heavy equipment. Instead, he goes down to the stream and collects five smooth stones. He didn’t use special armor. He wasn’t carrying any high-tech weapons. He did not even wear a helmet. He had a slingshot, some small stones, and faith that could move mountains. Most importantly, he knew that the true and living God would be his shield in battle.
David wasn’t acting out of naivety or inexperience. He was acting on faith. Goliath approaches him with his shield bearer going before him, taunting David as he sees this inexperienced warrior bringing “sticks” into the battle (I Samuel 17:43). But David was not deterred by Goliath’s unfavorable commentary. David simply states, “‘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’” (I Samuel 17:45). David had faith that God would carry out His plan. Although he may have been scared or worried, he remained faithful, confidently relying on God’s power to bring him to victory.
What if we had such great faith? How would our lives be different if we had faith that a few small stones would slay a giant standing in our way? David did not have any superpowers. He was just an ordinary human being whom God used to accomplish something truly extraordinary. Through faith, David became a high ranking officer in Saul’s army. But his greatest accomplishment was that he obeyed God and God honored him because of his faithfulness.
God will do the same for you. Whatever you are going through, God is looking out for you. He wants to be your shield in battle, your rock that you can stand on, your shelter from the storm. Have faith that God will make all things possible. Matthew 17:20 says, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Have faith that God will be with you, every step of the way. With faith in God, the impossible becomes possible!
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Over the past few weeks, my Dad and I have been watching
The Bible Series on the History Channel.
While I have heard many positive as well as negative comments concerning
this popular miniseries, I have personally enjoyed watching this phenomenal
representation of the Greatest Story ever told.
To feel as if I am walking beside Moses as God gave him the ability to
part the Red Sea. Or to feel the
intensity that Daniel felt as he was in the midst of those hungry lions. It was so incredible to watch as the walls of
Jericho were tumbling down. What an
amazing journey to travel with Mary and Joseph on the road to Bethlehem,
knowing that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords would soon make an entrance
into this world. As I watch these heroes
of faith walk down the road of life, I soon realize that their lives were not a
lot different from our own. Sure, our
struggles are much different, but one thing is certain. No matter what we’re facing, God is always enough.
Like David, are you facing a giant in your life? Or do you feel as if you have been thrown
into a fiery furnace like the three Hebrew children? Perhaps you feel like you are being asked to
do the unthinkable, much like Abraham’s obedience to God was tested when he
prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. I
want to encourage you today. God will be
with you wherever you go. God will give
you strength in every situation. Our God
will always be enough.
David knew that God was on his side. He said to Goliath, ““You
come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the
name of the Lord Almighty” (I Samuel 17:45 NIV).
He knew that if he had faith even as small as a mustard seed, God
would provide the courage and strength he needed to stand up to Goliath. He didn’t need a lot of armor or
weapons. He didn’t need Saul’s
army. All he needed was a small stone
and a slingshot. Why? Because God was enough.
I’m sure the three Hebrew children were afraid as
Nebuchadnezzar said that he would throw them in a fiery furnace. They said to Nebuchadnezzar, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand” (Daniel 3:17 NKJV). Even in the midst of their fear, they
did not bow down to other gods. They
trusted in the one true and living God.
They knew that He would be enough.
Consider Abraham. God spoke to him and said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you
love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.
Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you”
(Genesis 22:2 NIV). What must he
have been thinking? I’m sure he was
questioning God. Still, he obeyed
God. One thing I think is important is
the fact that he didn’t decide to think about it or pray about it to prolong
the inevitable. The Bible says that he
got up early the very next morning and headed to the mountain (Genesis 22:3
NIV). Abraham trusted God fully, with
the knowledge that God would always provide.
Even as his son questioned what was going on, Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son”
(Genesis 22:8 NIV). Just as Abraham was
about to take his son’s life, he saw a ram caught among the thickets. He knew that God had provided the sacrifice,
sparing his son. God knew that Abraham
trusted Him to the point of making the ultimate sacrifice. And Abraham knew that God would always
provide.
What problems are you facing in your own life? Is it a daily struggle to lose weight? Or are you trying to stop smoking or taking
drugs? Are you recently widowed or
divorced? Maybe you are afraid because
of someone or something that has been haunting you each and every night. Has your faith waivered to the point where
you find it hard to trust God at all? I
want you to know that God has not left you.
He sees your pain. He knows where
you are. He will always be enough.
I pray the song below is an encouragement to you. It is one of the most anointed songs I have
ever heard. I know that God must have
had His hand on Kelly Garner and Kevin Stokes as they penned the lyrics to this
song. And I know that God has His hand
on Karen Peck Gooch every time she sings this beautiful song.
My
God will always be enough,
For
the longings of my soul.
He
alone can fill my cup,
Till
my spirit overflows.
From
a well of living water,
He
renews me with His love
My
God will always be enough.
Whatever you are facing, God will always be enough. Call on the name of Jesus Christ right
now. It doesn’t matter if you are
sitting in your pajamas in your living room, or if you are walking down the
aisles at the local grocery store. Jesus
loves you more than you could ever imagine and you can talk to Him every day of
the year, every moment of the day. For
all of your physical shortcomings and emotional weaknesses, He will always be
enough to make you whole and to make your life complete. If you feel empty, He will fill you up. If you feel alone, He will be your Friend who
remains closer than a brother. If you
feel like you are living in a world of uncertainty, you can be certain of one
thing. Our God will always be more than enough.
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Have you ever been afraid? Not just a little scared, but truly in fear for your life? Perhaps you were in a car accident, or saw your child fall down a flight of stairs? Maybe you were scared that you would lose your home to a fire or due to lack of funds to pay your mortgage? Many times, fear can cause us to literally shut down, unable to live our lives as God has intended. God knows that we will be afraid at times, and He has promised that He will help us through the most terrifying experiences of our lives, so we can enjoy the rewarding, peaceful life that He has planned for us.
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) says, “I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” No matter what we may be experiencing at this very moment, God is standing beside us. Not only that, but He is holding our hand, guiding us through the rough patches of life. He longs for us to have the peace that only He can give. He wants us to have the reassurance that He will help us through any situation that life may bring our way, no matter how frightening it may be. He is the calm before and after the storm. He is the master of the wind and maker of the rain. Put your faith in the Lord, and He will calm all of your fears.
If you feel that being afraid is a sign of weakness, I want to assure you that this is certainly not the case. Consider Jesus’ disciples. One night while they were out on the lake, they were literally afraid of Jesus himself, thinking that He was a ghost. In Matthew 14:25-27 (NIV), we read: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’” Even when His disciples did not recognize Him, He wants them to be at ease, unafraid at seeing Him walk across the water. He wants them to know everything there is to know about Him, beginning with the fact that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, able to walk on water. He wanted them to trust Him completely, just like He wants us to do today.
Even the Psalmist David knew that He needed to put His trust in God in order to avoid the fears that encompass us in life. Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV) says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” David is reminding us that we do not need to be afraid, even if trouble comes. Even if the bill collector calls or a friend stabs us in the back, there is still no reason to be afraid. When we put our trust in God, nothing can steal our peace. Nothing can steal our joy. Nothing can take away God’s hand working in our life.
Mary was afraid when she saw the angel standing before her, delivering the message that she would be the mother of Jesus. “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30 NIV). There are times when we may receive news that is saddening, shocking, or simply unexpected. Regardless of whether the news is positive or negative, God is in control. God knows that there are times when we may experience fear in order to make the journey from where we are to where we need to be. Like Mary, we may be afraid for a season, only to find that we have been called to serve the Lord in a way in which we had never even dreamed.
Time and time again, the Bible tells us that we should not be afraid. Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:6 says, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Even Jesus himself tells us in Revelation 1:17 (NIV) that we should not be afraid, and He says, “I am the First and the Last.” So, no matter what trials come and what fears may Jesus Christ has paved the way for you to live a fearless life of joy. He has a dream for your life, void of all fear. He wants you to experience a fearless life that is greater than anything you ever imagined.
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer