The God of Breakthrough - Baal Perazim

    In 2 Samuel 5:17-20, David finally becomes king over all Israel. However, when the Philistines hear of it, they go in search of him. David hears of it and seeks shelter in the stronghold. The Philistines spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. David asks the Lord if he should attack them and if the Lord would deliver them into his hands. When the Lord assures him of victory, he goes out against them and defeats them. David declares that just as the waters break out, even so the Lord had broken out against his enemies before him. He therefore calls that place Baal Perazim which means “The Lord who breaks out” or “the Lord of the breakthrough.”
    Interestingly, David inquired of the Lord if he should fight against his enemies. It might have seemed obvious that he should fight against them. After all, he would simply be trying to defend himself. But, David had learned to consult God about everything and to ask for His leading in all that he had to do. It should be the same with us. Even when some situations may not seem to require God’s assistance, it doesn’t hurt to allow Him to lead. His Word says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). It’s about trust. It’s about dependence on Him. It’s about relationship. 
    When David was assured of victory, he went forward in confidence. It’s a good thing to have assurance in all that we do, to have that assurance of God’s presence, that He has our back and that He will take care of us. It really isn’t about what you can or cannot do on your own or what you should or should not do on your own. As I said earlier, it’s about relationship and choosing to include your God in everything that you do.
    But, I love the name that David gives to the place of battle - Baal Perazim. That’s where we get our title, “The God of breakthrough.” It’s about a God who can do the little things for us but also about a God who can carry out those great, impossible tasks that are beyond our ability. When those Philistines were spread out in that valley, of course they must have looked like a formidable army. They must have been confident of victory or else why would they have challenged David and the Israelites - twice! Yes, after being defeated the first time in that valley, they went back to that same valley to face off against David and his army (vv.22-25). Yet, this was one of those times where the God of David would get to show up and to show out! Even though giving them a different strategy than the first, they were able to defeat their enemies again.
    God is not just the God of breakthrough once or a few times. He is the God of breakthrough. Period. Whenever we need Him to defend and fight for us, He will be there. That’s just who He is. When He makes a promise, He keeps it. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us and to fight for us. And if He has given us these promises, He will keep them. We just have to choose to remember His faithfulness toward us and that He will never fail us. Just trust Him!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. The God of breakthrough loves you and will fight for you, He will never abandon you. Just trust His leading, trust His presence. He will never fail you.

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