Fighting God's Battles

1 Samuel 17

I have read and heard countless sermons from this passage---David and Goliath. I asked the Lord to show me something from the story I hadn't noticed, heard before, or something that I just needed today.

I noticed how David's brother, Eliab, treated him...

17:28
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
17:29
And David said, What have I now done? [Is there] not a cause?

Though not as famous as the battle against Goliath, this was David's first battle. From within. Eliab's pride was hurt because here he had heard the rantings and ravings of Goliath for 40 days and had not done anything about it, and here David comes having just been there shortly claiming that he can win the victory. I would think that they would be glad that they found a willing servant, but instead I find this of critical people when I decide to fight for something.
1. They question your motives.
2. They automatically play the double standard game. They feel they should question other areas of your life.
3. They assume your motives are self-righteous just like theirs ours.
4. They feel like if they criticize you, it will excuse them of their responsibility to do the right thing that you're willing to do.

I have faced criticism in my family, in fact, from my older brother. We were both in the same "battle" at one point, and when I wanted to stand and continue on, instead of encouraging he would nit pick another area. Sadly, it's often those that you are in the "battle" with that criticize you the most. Expect that. I notice the Bible doesn't say anything about David responding and criticizing Eliab personally. Rather, he continues his focus to the real battle at hand. So must I.

I love seeing David's courage and extreme confidence...

17:46-47
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee.....And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

Will, will, will. David was confident that God would be not only with him, but that He would defeat Goliath with him. I noticed that David said..."and take thine head," later another verse says "but [there was] no sword in the hand of David." David made this bold statement even when he had no sword in his hand! Perhaps he was staring looking at Goliath and saw his sword and was picturing that he would be the one using it. What courage!

Of course, I don't fight any literal "giants", but the cause for standing and fighting for right still exists. I consider these thoughts.
1. Anyone who defies God should be fought against.
2. Remaining silent to someone defying God will not win the battle.
3. Those that don't defy God, but aren't willing to fight will criticize those who are.
4. Remaining silent to those critics is the answer to that battle because they are not defying God, but rather defying my personal character. My continued actions for right will defend that.
5. Be confident that God will not only be with me in the battle when I defend Him but He will also defeat the enemy.
6. Expect God to use unconvential methods to fight His battles. (Just like He uses unconventional people. :) )

Action Proves Faith

Joshua 12-18

I love reading about the courage and tenacity of Joshua and Caleb. God has promised inheritance to all tribes. All they need to do is to go in there, defeat the enemies and possess it. God promises He will deliver them into His hand. It is Caleb that is 85 yrs old and says to "give me this mountain" and professses...
14:11
As yet I [am as] strong this day as [I was] in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength [was] then, even so [is] my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

He received the promise and was wanting to claim it while others complained that they didn't have enough and wanted the promise of the land handed to them.

17:14-16
And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me [but] one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I [am] a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? And Joshua answered them, If thou [be] a great people, [then] get thee up to the wood [country], and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, [both they] who [are] of Bethshean and her towns, and [they] who [are] of the valley of Jezreel.

It's like they said..."we want more; we don't want to work for it; just give it to us because that's only fair."
Sad to say, this is the attitude of America. "I want more money. I don't want to work for it. You did, so just share with me because that's only fair."
Well, I could go on and complain about the welfaristic attitude of Americans, but I try to focus on myself when I read the Bible. God has so many promises for me to claim, but I must show my faith in the promises by following the action He commands. My lack of action shows my lack of faith.

The Choice Is Yours

Deut 28-32

It seems Moses is still trying to remind the people that they have a choice to make as a nation...

30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

To follow God or not. Again, as I have said before, it seems like a no-brainer. Yet, I have the same choice set before me and often I fall guilty of choosing a cursing. No I don't have any statues of idols in my closet, but I do have the idols of this world...tv, entertainment. When I choose to follow the world's thinking instead of God's laws, I, too, am guilty and just as hard headed as those Israelittes.

31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Here's Moses' charge to Joshua. What a promise! God will NOT fail thee, nor forsake thee. What battles am I facing? God you are just as suredly with me as you were with Joshua. Be of good courage, Bridgett. Abba, our mortgage and house situation seems like a battle that You wouldn't be interested in. Forgive us if we have tried to fight this battle without you. Abba, please be with us and help us to have victory.

31:29
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt [yourselves], and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Ahhh...poor Moses. I can almost hear the tone in his voice. "You were rebellious jerks while I was here, and I know it will just get worse after I am gone." What a burden Moses carried dealing with these people. But, Lord, You endured with them just as much.