Tag Archives: 1 Samuel 17:45-47

The Battle Is The Lord’s

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Promises - Day 15 - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - The Battle Is The Lord's- Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 15 – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – The Battle Is The Lord’s- Growing As Disciples

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  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, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)  

Battles

I have had my share of those. You have had your share of what? I have had my share of giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles. How have you responded to giant problems and unwinnable battles? Many times, maybe most times, I have responded in two very unwise and unsuccessful ways to giant problems and unwinnable battles. I’m listening. I have run away from giant problems and unwinmable battles. Why is that? I am not a huge fan of conflict. I am also not the boldest and most courageous person you will find. So, in the face of giants and unwinmable battles, I have turned to run away from them as fast as I can. How do you feel about running away from giant problems and unwinnable battles? It has never felt very satisfying. It feels more defeating than if I had stayed and fought and lost. At least staying to fight would not leave me feeling like a cowering coward. How else have you responded to giant problems and unwinnable battles? My second most common response has been to fight to the bitter end, with my own strength. How has that worked out for you? Relying on my own strength to fight losing battles has left me discouraged and defeated and depressed. So, neither of your approaches has given you any kind of victory? No, not at all.

How do you want to respond to giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles? What would you like to do differently? I don’t want to run away. I don’t want to rely on my own strength. I have had far too much experience to know that those are both losing propositions. I know that it is not your plan for me to live in defeat. What is my plan for you? It is your plan for me to rely on you. It is your plan for me to ask for your help. It is your plan for me to allow you to fight with me and for me. And the emphasis has to be on your fighting for me. That’s right. Have I fought with and for you? Have I led you to victory over giant problems and in unwinnable battles? Yes, many times. What has happened to you when I have led you to victory? My faith in you has grown. My heart has been filled with joy and thanksgiving. My life has overflowed with praise and honor and glory to you. Why is that? You have fought with and for me. You have done in and through me only what you could do. You have allowed me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. Would you like me to continue to lead you in victory? Yes Lord, I would. Then keep on relying on me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Lord, I have faced giant problems and seemingly unwinnable battles. Many times, I have mistakenly and unsuccessfully tried to fight them with my own strength. Now, I know better. Now, I will rely on you to help me to face giant problems and unwinnable battles. Amen

Key Question… When have you faced what seemed to be an insurmountable giant and an unwinnable battle?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to fight with and for you in all the battles of life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will fight with you and for you in the battles of life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has fought with and for you in the battles of life.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to fight with and for you in the battles of life.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

1 Samuel 17-45-47 – Promises – Day 15 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

For The Battle Is The Lord’s

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ - Day 292 - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - For The Battle Is The Lord's - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 292 – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – For The Battle Is The Lord’s – Growing As Disciples

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 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, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

Battles

I know that I have gone through plenty of those in life. I know that I will face many more as I go through life. You have gone through plenty of what? You will face more of what as you go through life? I have and will face giant problems and insurmountable battles in life. Why is that true? There is pain and suffering in this life. There is evil and darkness in this world. I can’t avoid it. I can’t run from it. I can’t escape it. It is all around me. This world is no longer as you designed it. This is a sin broken world. Yes, it is.

Is all lost? Is there no hope? Can there be no victory over giant problems and insurmountable battles? Can nothing be gained? Is there no victory to be had in this life? All is not lost. There is hope. There can be victory over giant problems and insurmountable battles. There is much that can be gained. How so? Well, I will tell you one thing that is absolutely certain. What’s that? Victory over giant problems and insurmountable battles will never come by own hand, with my own strength. If I were to fight alone, under my own power, there would be no hope and certainly no victory. I would go down to defeat, every time, without fail. How do you know that for certain? I have tried and failed, more numerous times than I can count, fighting with my own power and strength. I want no more of that kind of discouragement and defeat. I’m sure not.

What will you do differently? How will you gain victories over giant problems and insurmountable battles? I won’t, not really. I know that I can rely on you. You will fight with me. You will fight for me. You will help me to overcome giant problems. You will help me to win victories over insurmountable battles. You will strengthen me. You will empower me. You will encourage me. You will keep me moving forward with you. Yes, I will do all these things in and for you as you come to rely on me. That is exactly what I will do. That will be very good. And to you will belong all the glory and honor and praise which I will wholeheartedly and joyously give to you. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I know that life in this world will often bring giant problems and insurmountable battles to me. I will not make the mistake of fighting with my strength alone. I will rely on you to fight with and for me against giant problems and insurmountable battles. Amen

Key Question… How have you learned to rely on the Lord to help you face giant problems and insurmountable battles?

Living It Out… Rely on the Lord to fight in you and for you against giant problems and insurmountable battles in life.

Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will fight with you and for you in the giant problems and insurmountable battles in life.

Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord has given you victory over a giant problem.

Prayer To Bless Others… May you rely on the Lord to fight with you and for you in the battles of life.

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Becoming Like Christ – Day 292 – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – For The Battle Is The Lord’s – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

There Is A God In Israel

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - So That - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - There Is A God In Israel - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – So That – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – Growing As Disciples

But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NRSV)

Run Into The Battle

Do you see that giant? How could I miss it? It’s in my way and blocking my path. What will you do? Are you afraid? Would it be a sin to be afraid? That giant is more than I can handle. I will never be able to engage in the battle and win this fight. Did someone say that this is your battle? Did someone say that this would be your fight? Well, here I am. It looks like it might be my battle and my fight. Yes, you’re right here, that’s for sure. Are you all alone? No, I am not all alone. You are with me. Yes, I am with you. It is not a sin to be afraid. It would be a sin to not rely on me. This giant is more than you can handle. You cannot win this fight. That should not discourage you. Why not? What have you done when you have needed my help? I have cried out to you. I have asked for your help. You could do that now. Wouldn’t that be good? Yes, it would.

Would you like me to fight with you? Would you like my courage and my strength? Yes, I want you to fight with me. I need you to fight for me. I desperately need your courage and strength. What would you do if I told you to run? I would ask which direction. I’m glad to see that you have not lost your sense of humor. Which direction do you think that I have in mind? You want me to run into the battle to engage in the fight. Why would I ever ask you to do that? It’s not enough for me to say that I believe you will fight with and for me. You want me to run into the battle and engage in the fight to show that I know you are with me. You will give me the victory because it is not my fight. Yes, that’s right.

Why don’t I give you battles that are just your size? Why aren’t your obstacles a little more reasonable and manageable in size? There are some things that you want known. Like what? You want me to learn to rely on you. You want me to know that you will fight with and for me. You want me to know that the battles and the victories are yours. You want my life to be a witness for you. You want my life to bring glory to your name. That is why the battles and the obstacles are your size and not mine. Yes, you are right. Now, which way will you run? I will run into the battle and engage in the fight because you are with me. Yes, you will. Yes, I am with you in every battle and in every fight.

Lord, I will rely on you. Give me courage and strength in the battles that I will face. Help me to see your working and to trust in your plan. Help me to overcome giant obstacles so that my life will be a witness for you and bring glory to your name. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

So That – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – There Is A God In Israel – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Battle Is The Lord’s

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - God The Father - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - The Battle Is The Lord's - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – God The Father – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – Growing As Disciples

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 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, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)  

Giant Problems

Will you look at that? Will I look at what? Will you look at that giant problem that is just ahead of me? So what? What do you mean by saying, so what? I will never be able to overcome that giant problem. Why do you say that? I say that because it is the obvious truth. It’s way too big for me. Yes, it is. Now you are agreeing with me? I am agreeing with you, only in part. What part of this problem are you agreeing with me? I am agreeing with you that you will not be able to overcome this giant problem alone, all by yourself. You have properly assessed the size of the problem. It is a giant one. Yes, it is. What part of this problem are you not agreeing with me? You want to run from this problem. You want to go around this problem. You would do almost anything to simply avoid this problem. Well, that’s certainly true. I don’t want to be crushed by this problem. Nor do I want you to be crushed by this problem. What do you suggest? That is one of the first good things you have thought and said about this problem. I’m not following what you are saying. You are asking for my help, are you not? Yes, I am asking for your helping. That’s very good. 

I want you to think differently about giant problems. How so? You view a giant problem as something that should be avoided at all costs. Yes, I do. You are fearful when you are faced with a giant problem. Yes, I am. You become discouraged and depressed and despondent in the face of a giant problem. That’s right. Do you know why that is? No, I don’t. You think that you need to face your giant problems by yourself, with your own efforts. You think that you are all alone in your battle against giant problems. That is exactly what I think. Your thinking is incorrect. Your thinking needs to change. How so? You need to think about what is true. What is true? I am with you. I will help you. I will fight in you, with you, for you and through you. I will lead you in victory over the giant problems you will face in life. Giant problems are an opportunity for you to rely on me. Giant problems are an opportunity for you to draw closer to me. Giant problems are am opportunity for you to know me better as you allow me to lead you in victory. Will you rely on me as I lead you in victory over giant problems you will face in life? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.

Heavenly Father, I know I am not alone. You are with me to help me. You give me all I need to fight battles against giants in life. I will put all my faith in you. I will rely on your help. Thank you for giving me victory over giants. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

God The Father – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – The Battle Is The LORD’S – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com

The Battle Is The Lord’s

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Discipleship Devotional Study Guide - Knowing God - 1 Samuel 17-45-47 - The Battle Is The Lord's - Growing As Disciples

Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – Growing As Disciples

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 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, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

Rely On Me

You will face many battles in life. You can be sure of that. Each battle will present you with a choice. What choice is that? You will be asked if you are going to rely on me or are you going to rely on yourself. You may think that you can make this choice once for all time. It would even be good to make your choice now in advance. But you must reaffirm again and again whatever choice you make now. Well, I have made my choice. I am not going to rely on myself. I am going to rely on you. You have made a good choice.

It is easy to say that you will rely on me to fight with you and for you in the battles of life. It will be much harder for you to learn to fully rely on me. Why is that? You tell me. I have an independent and self-sufficient nature within me. It is good that you are aware of that. How have your battles in life gone when you have relied completely on yourself? I have lost many battles simply because I have relied on myself rather than relying on you. That’s right.

When you rely on yourself I don’t mind watching you loose battles. Do you know why that is? It is more important to you that I come to know and rely on you rather than whether I win or lose a battle. Yes, it is. Don’t be confused though, I don’t want you to loose battles. I have no pleasure when you have to learn a painful lesson by loosing a battle.

When you have relied on me in the battles of life what has happened to you? As I have relied in the battles of life I have come to know you better. Yes, you have.  My faith in you has grown, as I have known that you are fighting with me and for me. Yes, it has. You have received honor and glory in the victories that you have won for me. Others have been drawn to you as they have seen you lead me in victory. It has been my joy to know that I am really living my life with and for you as I am relying on you in the battles of life. Will you continue to rely on me to fight with you and for you in the battles of life? Yes Lord, I will.

Lord, I know I will face many battles in life. I also know I will have a choice to make. Will I rely on you or on myself to fight the battles in life? I will tell you now. I will rely on you to fight with me and for me in every battle that I will face in life.  Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Knowing God – 1 Samuel 17-45-47 – The Battle Is The Lord’s – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.

Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.

By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved                   Copying not permitted                      www.GrowingAsDisciples.com