Day 32 | Feasting Before Enemies - Shawna
Many believe David wrote this song near the end of his life as a reflection over who God has been to him. David was no stranger to enemies. He knew the enemies of the sheep from his childhood as a shepherd. He knew what it was like to be on the run for his life as King Saul hunted and tried to kill him. Many of the Psalms were written while David was in the wilderness, on the run for his life. He had already been anointed by Samuel as Israel’s future King, but he had to wait for that promise to be fulfilled. Many times, I’m sure he wondered if he would live to see that day!
David was also no stranger to battle. Remember when the Israelite army was in a standoff with the Philistine army and Goliath asked for a champion to come fight against him? No Israelite soldiers were brave enough, yet David the shepherd boy stepped up with his sling and his stone:
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
Saul replied, “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.”
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 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.” -1 Samuel 17:32-37
David trusted in God’s faithfulness and His ability to save from any enemy. Do we?
Often, I think we live life completely unaware of our enemy.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8
Do we forget the devil wants to mess with us? Do we forget there is a spiritual battle waging war around us every day?
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. -Ephesians 6:12, 18
The enemy whispers lies that you’re not good enough, smart enough, popular enough. Surely God could never use you. What we often don’t realize are these are his tactics to keep us on the sideline! If God is willing to care for you as a Good Shepherd, sending His Spirit to dwell in you, leading, protecting, and providing for you, OF COURSE YOU’RE GOOD ENOUGH! In fact, the same Spirit who fueled the ministry of Jesus lives in you, so you can do anything God wants you to do.
The victory is already His. So fuel up, my friends. Feast on His Word. Bask in His goodness. Delight in His presence. This battle belongs to the Lord!
REFLECT
1. What lies of Satan am I believing that keep me on the sideline?
2. What courage and strength can I draw from the fact that God’s Spirit lives in me?
3. Do I fight on my knees, in prayer for myself and others?
PRAYER
Oh Lord My Shepherd, the battle truly belongs to you! I surrender and submit, so you will take the lead. It’s only through you I have victory, and only through the power of the Spirit in me can I live the life you’ve called me to. Help me to be aware of the spiritual battle going on around me so I can see through the lies of the enemy and cling to your truth. May I commit to prayer, fighting the battle of worry, my worth, my purpose, and sin through prayer, relying fully on you. I lift up my family, my neighbors, our church, our city, and our world. Lord, have your way in us. May your kingdom come to earth, bringing justice for the oppressed, healing for the sick, and salvation for all!
TAKE ACTION TODAY
Take up the battle of this life in prayer. Pray bolder, stronger, faith-filled prayers for yourself and others. Pray and claim the power of Jesus over lies of the enemy. Claim the Spirit’s protection and power. Listen to Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham.