Hey guys! It's a new day with new opportunities to serve Jesus!
2nd Samuel chapter 8.
It says twice in this chapter that God gave David victory wherever he went.
We are fighting battles everyday. With Christ, we have victory.
Three things tend to prevent true victory:
- We don't want it. God wishes to give us victory over sin or struggles in life. Sometimes we don't want it because we enjoy sin. Therefore we don't experience victory over sin.
- We lack belief. The sin or struggles look too big. We become so overwhelmed at the size of bondage we live in, we conclude it can't be overcome so we continue to live in defeat of sins power and stay in despair.
- We conclude we aren't worthy enough. We've been in bondage so long and have given into temptation so many times that we feel too dirty or too unworthy of God's love and forgiveness and power.
God gave David victory wherever he went. That can be us as well if we want it. If we believe. And if we truly understand how valued and loved we are by the Lord. If we don't let the lies the devil puts into our minds!
Also David dedicated everything over to the Lord. In other words, he didn't want to hold onto anything. Anything we have should be the Lord's so he can do with it whatever he wants. What am I holding onto that I need to let go and dedicate to the Lord for his purpose and for his use?
If I truly dedicated my possessions to the Lord think of how many lives could be impacted if I gave God the freedom to say:
- GIVE THIS MAN YOUR COAT.
- GIVE THIS LADY YOUR GROCERY MONEY SO SHE CAN HAVE FOOD.
- GIVE YOUR CHILD TO ME AND TRUST ME VERSUS TRYING TO CONTROL YOUR CHILD.
- GIVE ME YOUR GIFTS SO I CAN USE THEM AT CHURCH OR YOUR JOB OR MINISTRY.
- GIVE ME YOUR CAR SO I CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR NEEDS OF TRANSPORTATION.
- GIVE ME YOUR SWIMMING POOL SO THE NEIGHBORHOOD COULD ENJOY THE POOL WHILE BEING LOVED ON FOR THE KINGDOM.
- GIVE ME YOUR HEART AND YOUR LIFE SO I HAVE THE FREEDOM TO USE YOU IN YOUR CITY, COMMUNITY, STATE, COUNTRY OR AROUND THE WORLD. ARE YOU WILLING TO GO WHEREVER I SEND YOU?
Lord, forgive me of sin. I pray for victory over temptation and struggles.
Lord, I give you my heart and life and possession and relationships. All that I have is yours so that you can use it for your glory and your kingdom. Amen.
There is some great encouragement today! God gives victory and He rescues His people!
Take a look at Psalm 144:9-10.
“I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to You, who gives victory to kings, who rescues David His servant from the cruel sword.”
God truly blesses those who put their faith in him. This is a great reminder whenever we are going through what seems like a tough time that all we need to do is give it all up to God. He will always reward those who are faithful!