The weapons of your warfare

    I have been doing some Bible study on 1 Samuel 17 for some time now. You may be familiar with the story of David and Goliath. David heard the giant Goliath sending out a challenge to the Israelite army. He challenged someone to come forward and fight against him. Whichever person won, the opposing nation would become subject to the winning side. 
    David decided that he would fight Goliath. Keep in mind that David was a mere boy, inexperienced in battle, while Goliath was trained for battle since he was young. Goliath scoffed when he saw the young, inexperienced David before him (vv.42-43). He was convinced he would win and that this would be an easy contest. He went as far as to curse David by his gods and promised to feed his flesh to the birds and wild animals (vv.43b-44).
    When David heard this, he boldly said, “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” (v.45). David was confident because he knew God would fight for him. He knew that he was outnumbered and ill-equipped, but the God he was relying on was well able to handle the enemy’s weapons. The enemy’s intimidating weapons could not defeat his All-Powerful God!
    What weapons are you using when the enemy comes against you? The enemy may come against you with weapons of sickness and disease, lies and intimidation, attacks against your finances, your family, even your mind. But what weapons are you using in return? Maybe like the Israelite army, you are retaliating with fear. Maybe hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness seem like powerful weapons. 
    David trusted his God to be his most powerful and effective weapon against his enemy. He knew what his God could do. After all, God had helped him fight against and defeat a lion and a bear when they came against his sheep. “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day, I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (v.46). David boasted about what he would do to Goliath and the Philistine army but it was not a boast in his own strength, but God’s.
    “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” (v.47). The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are not man-made. They are mighty through God! (2 Corinthians 10:4) It may have seemed as if Goliath had the unfair advantage - size, experience and man-made weapons. He even had a shield bearer who was going before him against David (v.41). But, David was the one who had the unfair advantage. Goliath lost that fight before he even started … he just did not know it. Interestingly, the only one who knew this was David. His words reveal his confidence in what he expected God to do. Not even king Saul or the Israelite army expected David to win. 
    When challenges and battles come your way, what are you expecting God to do? What weapons are you choosing to use? Why not choose the weapon of the Word of God. His Word cannot return to Him without accomplishing what He wants it to accomplish. What about praise and worship? What about faith and trust in Him and in His ability to fight and win for you? And what about the weapon of prayer? These are all powerful weapons that God has equipped us with to face whatever comes our way. They are certainly not ineffective but mighty through God to destroy the works of the enemy. God has already equipped you with these weapons, so use them!!!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. As a child of God, God has not left you ill-equipped or ill-prepared to handle whatever comes your way. You have the right weapons for every battle and the perfect God who will fight for you! Trust Him!
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