September 9th, 2024
“You’ve Already Won”
Let me set the scene for you…
The entire Israelite army is gathered together in a camp. On one hill, we have Saul and his entire army. Across the valley of Elah, we have all of the Philistine army and their champion, Goliath. But Goliath isn’t your average soldier. Standing over nine feet tall, he comes out to taunt the Israelite army every day. The Israelites have experienced God’s miraculous provision over and over, but they are literally shaking in their sandals at the sight of Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:16 says, “For 40 days, the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.” Can you imagine listening to Goliath everyday for 40 days? Each day, they heard him defying their army and calling them out to fight. Even King Saul was “dismayed and terrified.”
Then, God sends a teenage boy into the picture. What David thought was a simple errand for his dad became a life-changing event! David hears Goliath’s threats and replies, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” David knew that the living God was on their side and was amazed that the Israelites had stood by and listened to these threats for so long.
We all know how the story progresses, David defeats Goliath with a slingshot and a stone. What the entire army was afraid to attempt, David knew that God would help him achieve. In 1 Samuel 17:47, David boldly announced, “This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give it to us.”
David stepped into the battle knowing that God would bring him to victory. We could really say that it was a battle that He had already won! As Christians, we read this story and are amazed at David’s faith and courage…and while I’m definitely not downplaying the boldness of David, we should look at the battles that we face on a daily basis in the same light.
In John 16:33, Jesus said, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We aren’t promised a life of ease, but we are instead promised that God will walk with us through each battle that we will face. I’ve seen over and over again how God has walked with our family through hardships that could have taken us out.
But God!
But God stepped in with His grace and power! With His wisdom and peace! With His love and faithfulness!
If you are staring at a battle today, I want to encourage you with the lyrics from “You’ve Already Won.”
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
The battle you are facing today, or will face tomorrow, has already been won by our all-powerful Heavenly Father! The same Heavenly Father that promises to never leave our side and to personally go ahead of us into every situation! You’re fighting a battle that He’s already won!
Let me set the scene for you…
The entire Israelite army is gathered together in a camp. On one hill, we have Saul and his entire army. Across the valley of Elah, we have all of the Philistine army and their champion, Goliath. But Goliath isn’t your average soldier. Standing over nine feet tall, he comes out to taunt the Israelite army every day. The Israelites have experienced God’s miraculous provision over and over, but they are literally shaking in their sandals at the sight of Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:16 says, “For 40 days, the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.” Can you imagine listening to Goliath everyday for 40 days? Each day, they heard him defying their army and calling them out to fight. Even King Saul was “dismayed and terrified.”
Then, God sends a teenage boy into the picture. What David thought was a simple errand for his dad became a life-changing event! David hears Goliath’s threats and replies, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” David knew that the living God was on their side and was amazed that the Israelites had stood by and listened to these threats for so long.
We all know how the story progresses, David defeats Goliath with a slingshot and a stone. What the entire army was afraid to attempt, David knew that God would help him achieve. In 1 Samuel 17:47, David boldly announced, “This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give it to us.”
David stepped into the battle knowing that God would bring him to victory. We could really say that it was a battle that He had already won! As Christians, we read this story and are amazed at David’s faith and courage…and while I’m definitely not downplaying the boldness of David, we should look at the battles that we face on a daily basis in the same light.
In John 16:33, Jesus said, ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We aren’t promised a life of ease, but we are instead promised that God will walk with us through each battle that we will face. I’ve seen over and over again how God has walked with our family through hardships that could have taken us out.
But God!
But God stepped in with His grace and power! With His wisdom and peace! With His love and faithfulness!
If you are staring at a battle today, I want to encourage you with the lyrics from “You’ve Already Won.”
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
The battle you are facing today, or will face tomorrow, has already been won by our all-powerful Heavenly Father! The same Heavenly Father that promises to never leave our side and to personally go ahead of us into every situation! You’re fighting a battle that He’s already won!
2 Comments
Nice lesson. I like the way brought different examples together.
Thank you