Fighting the Battles

Breaking it Down

Blessed, here synonomous with praised

LORD, covenant name

Rock…here we get into some things

Rocks are the epitome of strength, representing safety and protection

The God of Israel understood metaphorically as a rock or stone; perhaps with emphasis on strength and permanence

We’ll return to this thought

Training, something of a personal instruction

In common usage today, training is more of a hands-on type of learning

Behind all spiritual battle, God is the dependable one…we fight in His strength, we take refuge in His care

If we fail to remember that, we put disaster within striking distance

David’s History with Combat

In the narrative of David and Goliath, God had given David strength in the past

1 Samuel 17:34–37 (ESV)

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,

I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Where was the strength? God Himself

We know the outcome of that encounter

Current Combat

David was concerned with the physical battlefield, yet understood that there was a spiritual side to it

We are not on the physical battlefield, but the spiritual…we are not fighting the battles for the forming, maintenance or expansion of the nation....that’s long over

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Back to some of that in a bit; now to James 4 6-8

James 4:6–8 (ESV)

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.