Tag: The Lord Keeps You Safe

Boldly Defeat Your Giants

“This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17: 47)

Hi Beloved! I hope you are having a blessed week! We are in the thick of winter and over here we are cold and covered in snow. I have to say, I used to loathe cold weather, but now I actually enjoy it! I don’t know when or how that change occurred, but since I live where it gets quite cold, I’ll take it!

Today, I wanted to write about one of my absolute favorite Bible stories! You might know it well. It is such an incredible story and provides us with such a great example of how to boldly defeat our own giants. You may already know where I’m going with this, it’s the story of David and Goliath! Let’s look at the entire fight scene in 1 Samuel 17.

“He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 

Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.” (1 Samuel 17: 40-51).

Whoa! Every time I read this story, I get so fired up and filled with faith! I just love how God uses the weak to confound the mighty. Goliath was a tall, strong, and mighty warrior. He was protected by thick armor and had a shield bearer with him. David on the other hand, was a young teen boy, with a bag of stones, sling, and a staff.

Don’t you just love David’s faith? The Bible says, once Goliath moved in to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. He was bold because he knew the battle was the Lord’s and that no matter how big this giant was, he would be victorious.

Today, we don’t face physical giants, but we might face giant health issues, financial issues, and relationship issues. Let’s have faith so great that we have no fear and we boldly run toward our giants armed with the name of the Lord and His promises.

Even when our giants come out yelling and boasting, when they are big, mighty, and covered in armor, even when we’ve seen others fall by their sword, remember that the battle is the Lord’s and you will triumph!

One of my favorite verses in this story is when David tells Goliath that the Lord will conquer him and then all the world will know that there is a God in Israel. Our victories will be a testimony to others that the Lord rescues His people. I pray that we will so bodly face and overcome any attack of the enemy that people will hear about the strength and power of our God and want to know more. We can be a remarkable example to the world in these times of ever-increasing giants.

Beloved, if you are facing a giant that seems impossible to defeat, meditate on this story, meditate on God’s word. The Lord is with you as He was with David. He is still protecting His people! If you want me to pray with you or for you, please reach out! May you be bold and empowered in the coming weeks. May the Lord bless you and keep you and your families! Amen!

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis

Do Not Be Afraid, The Lord Is With You

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Happy February, Beloved! I hope you are having a blessed week. I was going to write something to go along with Valentine’s Day, but have been compelled to write about this topic instead. Lately, I’ve been hearing so many reports about freak accidents, natural disasters, and new diseases. We all know there are many dangers lurking in this fallen world, but it seems like we are more aware now than ever. Constantly, we are reminded how fragile life is and that there is no shortage of things to worry about – our loved ones, our jobs, our possessions – and it’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria of the world. Satan is working overtime to fill us with anxiety and fear.

This is a dangerous world, but the Lord says, Do not be afraid! In fact, “Fear not,” is the most repeated command in the bible. Over and over again, the Lord reminds us not to fear. Why is that? It’s because fear is the enemy of faith. In Hebrews 11:1, it says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” The dictionary defines it as, “complete trust and confidence in someone or something”. If we have the assurance, trust, and confidence that God will be true to his word and follow through on his promises, how can we be afraid? And if we are afraid, how can we have faith? The bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

So, what does God promise us about protection in this world? Isaiah 43:1 says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.” (Isaiah 54:17)

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7)

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” (Psalm 91:7)

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, the last thing He said to his disciples was, “I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) This verse has always brought me great comfort. If He will be with us until the world is literally over, He will certainly be with us if our child falls ill, if we lose our job, if we go through divorce, or if we experience the hardship of a natural disaster. And if He holds us with His victorious right hand, we will come out on top. He will work all things for our good.

Yes, this world has many things to fear and Jesus said there would be tribulation. But, we can rest assured that we are divinely protected, no matter what evils are lurking around the corner. If we have to walk through flames, we will not be burned, and if we have to cross a river, it will not overtake us! So, Beloved, DO NOT BE AFRAID! The Lord is with you (and your loved ones) wherever you go! Amen.

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis