Victory in the Battles of Life
1 Samuel 17: 32-50
Have you ever failed at something simply because you did not plan it all the way through? Sadly, this practice is all too common among most people—believers and non-believers alike.
If we truly want to achieve victory in our pursuits, we must be willing to take the time to plan accordingly. It is not always enough to see the matter from start to finish; rather, we must demonstrate the wisdom to see all the steps leading up to the challenge, and then all the wonderful results that can follow. When we do this, we have a complete view; that is, we begin to see the matter from God’s perspective.
When David faced Goliath, he knew that he was entering into much more than a wartime dispute. He was keenly aware of the nature of the conflict; that is, the very name of God was at stake because all of the other nations would watch to see what happened. Failure at this important juncture would have shown the world that Israel’s God was not all that powerful.
More than understanding the nature of the conflict, David walked into battle knowing the outcome. He knew that God would empower him to do what he had been called to do: defeat Goliath and provide an unshakable testimony to the power of God.
If your pursuits keep falling short, ask yourself the question: “Am I looking at the whole issue, or have I lost perspective?” If your point of view is too limited, commit the matter to God and allow Him to show you what He can do through your efforts.
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries