The Battle is the Lord's

Many of us are familiar with the David and Goliath story, but we may not be as familiar with the conversations that took place right before David headed out onto the battlefield before Goliath. 

David’s father sent him to the battle line to check on his older brothers.  While there he heard Goliath’s tauntings and he started asking the men in the army about what was happening.

When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

1 Samuel 17:28-32

David did not let what his brother said or the burning anger of his brother towards him affect him. He didn’t engage in an argument or try to defend himself from the false accusations.

He turned away from the distraction of his brother's words and continued to seek out the information he needed to respond to God’s direction for him.

Because he stayed focused, he knew what God was calling him to do, and David went before the Philistine.  David stood before Goliath and proclaimed the beautiful truth:  “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s…”I Samuel 17:47

And God gave him victory that day. 

How many times do we get discouraged by other’s comments and stand down, step away, or disengage?  Or how often do we hear what others say and engage in an argument and our focus is on defending ourselves instead of focusing on what the real battle is?

The battle is not with our brother or our sister; the battle is with the enemy.  More importantly to remember is that we only need to be obedient and focused on what God is calling us to do, and leave the rest to Him, because the battle is the Lord’s!

This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.  II Chronicles 20:15

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

I Corinthians 15: 57-58

~ Sue Parrott