Saturday, March 26, 2016

1 Samuel: Standing Up To Intimidation

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date
: Saturday, March 26, 2016
Chapters: 1 Samuel 17-19
Message: 1 Samuel: Standing Up To Intimidation

Hello My Friend,

As strong as our faith in God or even our ability to stand up to those who intimidate us, our biggest defeat is fear. Fear can stop the strongest person in their tracks, it is fear that keeps us from doing many things we should be doing. And it is fear that keeps us from living the God given dream that He has for us. We do not need to live in fear, we have a Saviour that gives us the strength to not only stand up to intimidation, but stop fear in it's tracks. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:13.

After Samuel anointed David to be the next king to rule Israel things changed dramatically, first, David became Saul's armourbearer. Can you imagine working for the very man that you are going to replace? Once God took His Spirit away from Saul, the devil decides to move in, and he was going to make sure that Saul despised David. It all starts when David comes to Saul to join the army. Now, the Philistines were in constant battle with Israel, this time they had a leader, Goliath, and talk about intimidation, this over nine foot tall giant was very good at it, he challenges Israel to bring one man to defeat him, and if they did Israel would be set free from their control. David, a mere shepherd coming to check on his brothers took the challenge and Saul allows him to.

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” - 1 Samuel 17:36-40.

he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” David did not fear Goliath because he knew that God was with him and would give him the strength to do exactly what Goliath said he would do to him. God gives you strength that you cannot believe given the right timing and faith. I have never had kids, but I have very protective motherly instincts when a child is in danger, God is the same way with us, His protective instincts kick in when we trust Him in our own strength and abilities. “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” - Psalms 144:1,2.

After David defeated Goliath the rest of the Philistines fled, and a great slaughter took place, Israel became a great army. The people rejoiced and something happened that would change his attitude toward David, as he was walking through town he hears the women praising David with a song.

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.” - 1 Samuel 18:8-14.

And Saul was afraid of David,” Saul knew that God was with David and that scared him to death. God does not put fear in us, the devil does that, he can put so much fear in us that instead of being protective we become possessive, and will do anything to have that control again. We can overcome fear, but we must look to God, He is our strength, and He will show us how to handle intimidation to correct way. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” - Proverbs 3:5-8.

Saul was so envious and jealous of David's success and relationship with God that the only solution he had to overcome it was to kill him. He sends him to battle the Philistines, got him to marry his own daughter, and even tried to get his son Jonathan, who was a great friend to David to kill him.

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.” - 1 Samuel 19:1,2,10-12,18.

So David fled, and escaped,” It will not be easy for David to escape Saul, in fact, he will face many attempts on his life, but God will see him through. Of course, we are going to get discouraged and face some difficulties by walking with God, but in the end we have nothing to fear, but fear itself. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” - 2 Timothy 1:7,12,13.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Jonathan, who stripped himself of his royal robes and made the soul covenant with David, (18:3-4). Knowing the will of God, Jesus stripped Himself of His royal robe to be a servant for us. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” - Hebrews 2:9.

Today's Prayer: God, It seems like Christians are being persecuted more than ever and it is intimidating to live our lives in Your will without offending others. Lord, give us Your power to keep living by faith and not in fear of the enemy. Give us Your strength to stand up to those who intimidate us, and not be afraid to confront them. And give us the wisdom, guidance, and love that only You can give us to handle the situations we are faced with. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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