EPISODE 474 – THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED 5 — PUT ON THE SHIELD OF FAITH 10

Most people acknowledge that bitterness is a poisonous attack of the enemy. But not all see discouragement as a poisonous attack of the enemy.

Most assume that, to feel discouraged is a mere emotional condition. But to feel discouraged is the collapse of your convictions in God’s ability to help you.

The adversary will use your failures, seeming stagnation, disappointments and spiteful utterances from people around you.

When you continue to allow people to talk down on the impact of God and His word in your life, they break your confidence and leave you discouraged.

“Their wounding words pierce my heart over and over while they say, “Where is this God of yours?” So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, living before his face is my saving grace!” Psalm 42:10-11 (TPT)

There are words or certain utterances, which are designed to pierce and wound your heart. The goal is to leave you discouraged.

But you see, the shield of faith is a product of the Word of God in your heart.

Don’t keep quiet to allow negative words to ruin your courage.

Boldly vocalize your faith in God.

The Psalmist said in the above verse, “So I say to my soul”.

Oh, glory!

In the face of discouraging situations, what do you say to your soul?

When Goliath saw David, he despised him. He spoke denigrating words, just to discourage and destroy the defenses of David.

But that didn’t work with David. David geared up his spiritual arsenals.

“As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere boy, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed. The Philistine ridiculed David. “Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?” And he cursed him by his gods. “Come on,” said the Philistine. “I’ll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I’ll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice.” 1 Samuel 17:41-44 (Message)

Was David moved by these threats of Goliath?

Not at all.

Was he discouraged by Goliath’s ridicules and curses?

Not at all.

David answered, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel’s troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he’s handing you to us on a platter!” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (Message)

The battle between David and Goliath gives us a pictorial view of our spiritual warfare. Though Goliath was physically armored, he confronted David by invoking the presence of the Philistine gods (Or demonic entities).

It was a spiritual warfare.

David showed us how to win and exercise our victory.

He vocalized his confidence in God. The boldness of David in God was all that he needed to exercise victory over Goliath, the Philistines and their gods.

David knew the victory over Goliath and the armies of the Philistines was to show forth the extraordinary power and glory of God.

David didn’t just demonstrate his confidence and courage in God through words. He demonstrated it through his actions. He never backed out at any time. Even when Goliath charged at him, he rather charged even more running at Goliath and the Philistines.

What a young man of faith!

He gave no chance for intimidation.

“That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt. That’s how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David! Then David ran up to the Philistine and stood over him, pulled the giant’s sword from its sheath, and finished the job by cutting off his head. When the Philistines saw that their great champion was dead, they scattered, running for their lives.” 1 Samuel 17:48 – 51 (Message).

Beloved, learn to stay strong on the word. Give no place to the devil and his cohorts.

James said, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Just as David did, he didn’t confront Goliath in the might of the flesh, but in the name of the Lord.

Submit your mind, thoughts, and emotions to the Lord. Act according to who God is and not by the threats of the devil.

David was aware of the devices of Goliath, therefore he didn’t depend on the weapons of men but deployed the ability of the Lord almighty as his armor.

REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED AND AFRAID.

SHIELD UP IN FAITH!