imported_rachel
02-28-2007, 12:59 PM
In the message "Cords of Encouragement" we saw the importance - even
the necessity - of encouraging one another. We have been joined
together as the Body of Christ; and for this Body to function
properly, we must all be encouraged to draw closer to God - to trust
Him more and love Him with all our heart. One of the ways we
encourage, is in sharing with one another how God's mighty hand has
worked in our life. We have so much to be thankful for, but sadly we
often simply forget.
In the book of 1 Samuel, we read of young David and the Philistine
"Giant" named Goliath. Goliath was much larger than other people of
his day; "he was over nine feet tall" (1 Samuel 17:4). For forty
days he tormented the Israelites by challenging them to a battle, but
no one would accept his challenge.
David was not a soldier, but his father sent him to the Israelite
camp to deliver bread to his older brothers. When David heard the
challenge by Goliath, he told King Saul; "Your servant will go and
fight him" (1 Samuel 17:32).
Though David had never been in this type of battle, he had still
witnessed the mighty power of God. As a shepherd, David defended the
flock when a lion and a bear had come to carry away his sheep. David
rescued the sheep by killing the lion and the bear. By witnessing
God's hand in these past battles, David gained the necessary
confidence to go into battle against Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:36-37
"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 delivered me from
the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the
hand of this Philistine."
As we find ourselves battling our own Goliaths, we must remember how
God has defended us in the past; and as a Family, we must share past
victories with one another. God is faithful, and we need to remind
one another of this simple truth. Our "Giant" circumstances may seem
impossible to resolve, but the God who stood at our side during past
battles (and stood at the side of our Brothers and Sisters) is the
same God who stands with us today: "God has said, 'Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord
is my helper; I will not be afraid'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
God wants to draw us near and walk with us through each and every
battle. This means we must trust He's working all things together
for good...even when we can't see the good or understand His
timing. Let's be encouraged by God's victories in our past and look
for opportunities to share these victories as an encouragement to
others. As each of us face our Goliaths today, let's go out with a
thankful and trusting heart and always remember the defeated lions and
bears.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
the necessity - of encouraging one another. We have been joined
together as the Body of Christ; and for this Body to function
properly, we must all be encouraged to draw closer to God - to trust
Him more and love Him with all our heart. One of the ways we
encourage, is in sharing with one another how God's mighty hand has
worked in our life. We have so much to be thankful for, but sadly we
often simply forget.
In the book of 1 Samuel, we read of young David and the Philistine
"Giant" named Goliath. Goliath was much larger than other people of
his day; "he was over nine feet tall" (1 Samuel 17:4). For forty
days he tormented the Israelites by challenging them to a battle, but
no one would accept his challenge.
David was not a soldier, but his father sent him to the Israelite
camp to deliver bread to his older brothers. When David heard the
challenge by Goliath, he told King Saul; "Your servant will go and
fight him" (1 Samuel 17:32).
Though David had never been in this type of battle, he had still
witnessed the mighty power of God. As a shepherd, David defended the
flock when a lion and a bear had come to carry away his sheep. David
rescued the sheep by killing the lion and the bear. By witnessing
God's hand in these past battles, David gained the necessary
confidence to go into battle against Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:36-37
"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 delivered me from
the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the
hand of this Philistine."
As we find ourselves battling our own Goliaths, we must remember how
God has defended us in the past; and as a Family, we must share past
victories with one another. God is faithful, and we need to remind
one another of this simple truth. Our "Giant" circumstances may seem
impossible to resolve, but the God who stood at our side during past
battles (and stood at the side of our Brothers and Sisters) is the
same God who stands with us today: "God has said, 'Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord
is my helper; I will not be afraid'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
God wants to draw us near and walk with us through each and every
battle. This means we must trust He's working all things together
for good...even when we can't see the good or understand His
timing. Let's be encouraged by God's victories in our past and look
for opportunities to share these victories as an encouragement to
others. As each of us face our Goliaths today, let's go out with a
thankful and trusting heart and always remember the defeated lions and
bears.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm