Run to the Fight

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 17

Scripture Focus: When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. (1 Samuel 17.48)

Devotional Thought: I recently officiated at the funeral of a very dear friend of mine. Problems arose to meet him, his wife and family. Cancer… surgery… chemo… radiation… recurrence… sickness… Then, death. Others I know, have lost jobs and homes, savings and security. Divorce and disappointment have drawn near to my family. Life is not always easy, is it?

Just as Goliath “arose and came and drew near to meet David,” problems will arise in our lives. They draw near to us. But, just as David "ran quickly toward the battle line," we too can have confidence to face our problems head on.

Where did David’s confidence come from?

· David remembered how God had helped him in the past.

· David rested in the fact that he was part of God’s chosen people.

· David had received the anointing of God from the prophet Samuel.

· David relied on the fact that he was there on assignment from God.

When God assigns you to do something, are you confident? The odds were against David. The Philistine was a trained and experienced warrior; David was only a shepherd. The Philistine was a giant; David was a man. The Philistine was protected with the best armor; David was wearing street clothes. The Philistine was armed with a spear and sword; David had a sling and some pebbles. Yet, David was so confident that he “ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”

When problems come, how do you meet them? Run quickly to the fight! You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Prayer: Lord, I know that problems and battles will come my way. The enemy will oppose me. But, in the name of Jesus, I run into the battle, confident that you will do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 79.1-7

1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.

5 How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.