The Battle is His – Victory is Mine

Which Way Lord? – Chapter 13 – Dr Chandrakumar

The Battle Is His, Victory Is Mine

Victory is your inheritance, if you are born again, and belong to the kingdom of God by receiving Christ in your life. First, desire your victory, await readily anticipating it to come on your way and then claim it through the word of God, “You give me your shield of victory and your right hand sustains me…” (Ps. 18:35). Jesus said, “…Take courage, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33).

Our victory is solely based on Christ’s Victory on the cross. Let us consider how David got his victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-47.

I. The Hindrances

Unjustified Opposition From Within The Family

Even before David could actually start his battle, he was facing opposition from his own family. When David saw Goliath and his challenge he said, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26). The Israelites told him, what would be done for the man who would kill Goliath (V 25, 27). At this time David had to face false and unjustified accusation from his own brother Eliab who said, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” (V 28). Probably, this ungracious brother had not forgiven David for being preferred to become the king before him the day when Samuel visited the house of Jesse.

David was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse, very young, left out, not being found fit for the battle. May be you are also left out, not accepted or appreciated by your own people or by others. You need not worry about it as long as you have a right relationship with God as David did. He was also faithful in the responsibilities given to him by his father. He started his mission in the morning and perhaps had his quiet time with the Lord and rightly handed over sheep to the servants and started on his journey (V 20). We, first, must be faithful in whatever God has given us. Only then, can God can do great and mighty things through us for His glory.

Even when his brother falsely accused him, he did not pay much attention to it. He did not argue with him. He turned away to someone else and talked about the same matter, regarding fighting against the enemy that the Lord had burdened him to do (V 29, 30). Likewise, let us not waste our time in arguing or trying to prove ourselves with those who are against us or with our false accusers. The Lord will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun (Ps. 37:6).

When we are facing a battle in the mission and ministry, Satan would bring some more intermediary problems. We should not be distracted, deviated or set our mind on those problems. We should keep on to our main target and go ahead with what God has called us or burdened us to do. David ruled his own spirit; was master of himself and subdued his ego before he mastered others. He who controls his spirit is better than he who captures a city (Prov. 16:32). So, David’s first triumph was spiritual, over meekness.

In the same way, Jesus over came His provocations by His meekness, and countered opposition from His brother and sister who challenged His lead (Num. 12:1-2). He neither argued nor gave up His mission, He left His defense up to God. The Lord intervened, rebuked them and testified about the integrity of Moses (Num. 12:4-5).

The most significant aspect of this incident is, “And the Lord heard it” (V 2). Please do not worry about what others talk about you. Some times it may not reach our ears but be assured that it has already reached the ears of our heavenly Father. He will definitely answer it and take the necessary action. The Lord says, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people…” (Lev. 19:18). “Vengeance is mine and retribution,” says the Lord (Deut. 32:35). “He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noonday.” (Prov. 37:6).

2. Discouragement From The Place of Work

The next hindrance came from the king himself who discouraged David against facing Goliath. Saul said, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” (1 Sam. 17:33). This kind of discouragement would come from the place of work or from those who are above you. They in their limited faith, with their physical eyes may not be able to see what God can see in you. Jesus looked at Peter and saw in him not only a Galilean fisherman but also the one who could become “the rock” on which his church would be built.

Once A person came to Michael Angelo, who was chipping away with the chisel at a huge shapeless piece of rock. He asked the sculptor what he was doing. Michael Angelo said, “I am releasing the angel imprisoned in this marble.” Jesus sees us not only as we are, but as we can be and He can release the hidden hero in every man and woman. You may not know your capacity, or your potential abilities. But when you submit your life to the Lord and ask him to use you for his glory he shall do great and mighty things through your life.

3. Curse From The Enemy

Goliath cursed David, he challenged him and threatened him of a disastrous death (1 Sam. 17:43). Today God’s servants are a challenged and threatened by many enemies of the Gospel and anti – Christian elements. Even though many people obey Satan and follow his ways, the only reward they get from him is a curse. Then one can imagine, how much more Satan would curse a believer or a servant of God who preaches against him. David did not lose heart or his courage, he further counter challenged Goliath without any fear of failure.

What may appear to us as un-meetable challenges or unresolved problems are actually wonderful opportunities for us to exercise faith in the power of the living God and experience a life of adventure and reward.

II. David’s Six Weapons Of Warfare:-

1. Pronounce The Past Victories

Every believer in Christ would have experienced at one time or the other at least some kind of a victory or deliverance in his life. You would have passed in your exams. You might have received healing from sickness or found the lost things you have been praying for. It is always good to go from the known to the unknown. David had never fought any Goliath before, but the Lord gave him victory over a lion and a bear. He said to Saul, “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 ” (V 36).

2. Proclaim The Future Victory

Claiming those past victories David said to Saul, “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.” (V 37). Even king Saul could not refute, but yielded to such a claim and said, “Go and the Lord be with you” (V 37).

We must always give credit and glory to God for all our blessings and past victories. It is not due to our goodness or abilities, but by the shear grace of God. When we acknowledge this and claim the hand of the Lord to be upon us, it would strengthen the weak faith of others. They would be encouraged and would develop more confidence over us in dealing with such situations.

3. Proceed In The Name Of The Lord

David used the name of the Lord. When we call the name, the person responds. Behind the name there is a person and behind the person there is a personality. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Prov. 18:10). There is victor in the name of Jesus. “…Thanks be to God!” He gives us the victory (1 Cor. 15:57). “And every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21).

There is power in the name of Jesus. To pray in his name is to claim the things, which the blood of Christ has secured. Satan cannot stand against the name and blood of Jesus Christ. You must rebuke doubt and fear and resist the directly and vocally. You can probably say something like this, “Satan I command you in the name and the shed blood and in and through the power of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ to get out of my life, my family, my ministry and this situation.”

4. Propose A Definite Time Frame

Firstly, David sets a definite time frame for his task to be accomplished. I would like to caution you that Satan is setting a definite time frame to work against us. If your fail to challenge him accordingly, you may be the looser. Goliath said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel…” (1 Sam. 17:10) David replied accordingly and said, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today, I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth…” (V 46).

Elijah too proposes a time frame when he was challenging the people that the God of Israel is the only living God. He prayed, “Lord… let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.” (1 Kings 18:36). Jesus set up a time frame to the thief on the cross when he said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43).

Setting up a time frame is very essential for a Christian minister or a leader. If you are a writer it helps you to produce more at definite time-periods. Though God has given us a special gift for preaching, writing and so on, we still keep in our files a number of pending articles and messages. This is mainly because we do not take it as a challenge and produce more and give to this rapidly dying world in these last days.

In season and out of season be prepared to preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). Fix a target and decide today. Your decision determines your destiny.

Secondly, Goliath challenges the army of Israel to choose a man to fight with him (V 8). Satan’s strategy is not to challenge the community of Christians, but individuals. At the same time God is also challenging individuals. He is not calling an organisation or a group of people but one man who could stand in the gap (Ezek. 22:30). “The Lord has sought out for himself a man after his own heart…” (1 Sam. 13:14). Will you be that one man?

Goliath came forward every morning and evening for forty days and challenged the Israelites to choose a man, but not a single man was available in the whole army. Eventually, God had to bring David all the way from the cattle field to the battlefield, because he was a man of God’s own heart who put God’s will ahead of his own selfish desires (Acts 13:22).

May be God has been calling you not just for forty days, but for many years and still you have neither responded nor you are ready for it. Yes God definitely needs you to serve him in whatever capacity you can.

For forty days Saul and the whole army of Israel were running away from Goliath. In the Bible 40 days is a fullness of time. So Saul’s time was over and God raised up David. God needs such David’s today. Will you be a David? Our God is a God who is kind to find you and deliver you out of blind mind. He would take you, wake you, and shake you, to make you a man of his own heart: He would drill you, thrill you and fill you to be a man of skill. He would name and tame you to fame and not to shame. So without any lame excuse rise up and build his Church.

5. Profess The Purpose Of The Battle

David explains the purpose for his mission, “And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” (V 46). Elijah too proclaimed his purpose publicly, “O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you O Lord are God…” (I King 18:37). You must have a definite purpose and a clear motive for what ever you attempt to do in the Lord’s service.

First of all, it is a command from the Lord to communicate the Gospel to the people. It is not a charity but a debt, not an option but an obligation. Paul said, “…woe is me, if I preach not the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:16). Secondly, our involvement in God’s ministry should he motivated by eternal aspirations to see God glorified, and souls saved.

6. Persevere – The Victory Is Yours

David said, “…The battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (V 47). Some times you are too worried as you face certain problems. This is because you think you have to the battle yourself. The Lord says, “…The battle is not yours, but God’s… you will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you… do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them… and the Lord be with you. ” (2 Chron. 20:15-17).

Your duty is just to face or confront the enemy. The Lord will fight the actual battle. The Lord will fight for you, “You need only to be still” (Ex. 14:13). You must exercise unshakable faith in God and in His promises. In fact, in the face of an over whelming enemy, it would take more faith to stand still than to fight.

He is a God

Who raised people from the dead,
Gave little David Goliath’s head,
Cast out demons with a word,
Yet sees the fall of one wee bird,
Would do signs and wonders today,
In the same or a different way,
Who is just the same today.

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This book is copyright by Dr Chandrakumar Manickam. It is reproduced here by permission.

Visit Dr Chandrakumar’s website for more information on his books, videos, CDs and ministry training programmes, as well as information on how to contact him for speaking engagements.