Giants

I was doing my Bible study a few days ago. And I had a really simple but profound moment. Right now I'm thinking and studying about giants, obsticles, and hindrances. In my lesson the story of David and Goliath was brought up. I had an aha moment: David confessed that the battle was The Lords, and He had VICTORY!

He didn't try to do anything in his own strength. He didn't panic. He just trusted and believed God, and acted on what he knew. He knew God would come through for Him. God would fight his battle for Him. Victory over the bondage, humiliation and relentless taunting would come through GOD alone.

Another thing I realized is that the Victory in Christ is complete. Christ didn't just win by a shoot out. He won by about 10 goals. Total smashing victory. That is a truth I can stand on. You don't have to accept your bondage Thank GOD!!!! BUT that doesn't mean Satan is happy about it. Just because Christ's victory is complete doesn't mean that the struggle is over. But the difference between your captivity and freedom lies in what you do with your struggles. Do you confess to God you aren't big enough, and he has to take this? Or fix things alone?



It made me think. How often have I "given something over to God" and whined and kicked and screamed about how terrible it is that I still struggle with it? How often to I say "I've given something over to God" and yet the next day - sometimes next hour - those thoughts and feelings are still attacking me? What gives? I think what I'm realizing is that I probably haven't truly given them over to Christ. I haven't really sought his peace, satisfaction, contentment, or abundant life. Not like I should anyways. If I had, I wouldn't struggle any more. Yes, I would have things to pray about, there would still be issues. But I wouldn't replay things ovoer and over and over in my mind. I wouldn't keep going back. Oh I'd feel the pull to go back. I can still be in the middle of a tug-of-war and be living in victory. Just because I'm walking in liberty and freedom doesn not mean I will not be tempted and Satan will now leave me alone. Probably the opposite actually, because if I'm in liberty, Satan is super hacked and wants revnge, because God raises up the liberated to leadership. BUT what walking in liberty does mean is that I have my hands on the rope, I'm engaged in the battle, I'm aware of my weakness, and I am confidant in the work of Christ. I can say "God, today I am dealing with my lack of contentment. I want to take hold of the deep satisfaction YOU alone offer. I want to please teach me the same lesson you did Paul in being content in every circumstance. God the guy handled a much harder life than I have, with more joy than I probably have. That's pretty pathetic on my part. Forgive me, and continue to heal and redirect me." I can bathe my issues in prayer and memorizing and accepting truths and scripture. And when the Enemy gives that rope a tug, I give God the battle. I let Him fight it for me. I must have the wisdom to see I am no match for Satan on my own, and I can do noting apart from Christ. The battle is The Lords. That is walking in victory. But there have also been moments when I have perpetuated and accepted my own captivity. I believe I am in captivity when I am replaying in my brain what I am not happy with and dwelling on that, festering on that, dreaming of the day when "perfection" will happen and all falls into place. There is nothing with dreaming, God loves dreams. But when my dreams are so vivid I cannot even focus on reality, and reality has me so frustrated and uncontent that NOW I cant even do anything TODAY to accomplish a dream TOMORROW that's an issue. God wants to offer conentment for today, so that he may continue to take me from glory to glory. I can't get to tomorrows glory if I cant see the glory and work He is up to today.

So that's just a thought from my week. What battle do you need to give to God? What issue is your Philistine, your giant that is mocking you and God's power in you? What in your life seems imposible? What in your life is a source of humiliation, depression, fear, and something you hide from? What are you trying to fix or solve on your own? Isn't it exhausting? Draining and depressing? I know. I have been there. Give God your struggle. Your fear. Your insecurity. Your battle scar. Your deepest betrayal. Your hurts. Your sin. Your selfishness issues. Let him have them. He's strong enough to save. He is victorious and has the strength to win your tug-of-war. No the game of tug of war will not end before you get to Heaven. But you don't have to wait for heaven for victory, you can WIN the game before you get to Heaven! Christ's Victory is applicable to you NOW! Take courage and engage!