Daily Devotional for Wednesday, July 26

The Enemy’s Challenge

“And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid,” I Samuel 17:10-11.

Fear is an unpleasant emotional reaction to a situation in which one believes they are in potential danger either physically or emotionally. Fear can be a useful tool in times of war as it is often quite paralyzing to the enemy. Throughout history, fear has been used by wicked dictators to control the people and accumulate as much power as possible. And fear was most definitely what was stirred up within the Israelites when they saw the giant, Goliath, come out and challenge them to battle.

Goliath was no ordinary man. He truly was a giant, standing ten feet tall with a full coat of mail and a helmet of brass. He wore brass between his shoulders and upon his legs and carried a huge spear, much too heavy for an average man to carry. He appeared to have no vulnerability at all. When he spoke, his voice thundered as he challenged God’s people to send a man to fight. Saul and the men of Israel were fearful, and none accepted the challenge until a young man named David came on the scene.

God’s Word tells us numerous times not to fear. Do not allow fear to take hold in your life and paralyze you. There will be many giants for you to face and perhaps you are facing challenges in your life even now. You may be dealing with health issues, marital problems or there may be hidden sin in your life that you need to confess. The giants in our lives take on many forms, but God is greater! Do not let the enemy have the upper hand. Overcome with faith in our great God above!

REFLECTION: “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13)

Darla Goodrum