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The Battle is the Lord's
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| Order Today! Now you can order your copy of The Art of Asking and Receiving by E. Richard Bridgeforth, Sr. Contact Us Today! |
The Battle is the Lord’s
By E. Richard Bridgeforth, Sr.
Copyright 2010 by World Prophetic Outreach Ministries
Many times we face battles that are seemingly insurmountable. We face sickness, disease,
financial problems, other various problems in our daily lives. Someone may say, “Well, that’s
just a part of life.” Most people accept the fact that the problems we face in our lives are
inescapable. Most people will try to deal with their problems on their own initiative and some
are successful in overcoming some of them. There are some problems that are seemingly
minor enough that we can correct them and go on with our lives. Yet there are other
problems that come into our lives that we may not be able to cope with and we have to seek
help. Many people will seek out doctors, psychiatrists, financial advisors or some other
professional who can help them alleviate or completely do away with their problems.
Sometimes these professionals can be very helpful and they are often needed.
As born again believers, however, we have one who is better to talk to when we face
problems, whether they are Spiritual or physical problems. This person is Almighty God. I
am not saying that we should not seek professional help. There is a time and a place for
their services and they are a needed profession. However, as born again believers, we need
to learn to place our faith (our trust, reliance and complete confidence) in God.
When we read the account of David and Goliath, we see that the armies of Israel was facing
a big problem with the Philistine army. The Philistines had a “champion” named Goliath,
who was a giant, a man who was 9 feet and 2 inches tall and was very strong. Because of
this one man, the entire army of Israel was fearful of the Philistine army. They would draw the
battle line each day and run out to fight. But when they did this, Goliath would step out and
demand that Israel send a man to fight him. He would issue a demand, “Why have you
come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose
a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill
me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall
be our servants and serve us. And the philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day;
give me a man, that we may fight together.’” (1 Sam. 17: 8 - 10)
One day Jesse sent his son, David, to take supplies to his brothers, who were in Saul’s
army, and to the “captain of their thousand.” (1 Sam. 17: 13 - 18) We are told that when
David got to the place where the armies were facing each other, he heard the demands of
Goliath. He saw how the “all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and
were dreadfully afraid.” (1 Sam. 17: 20 - 24)
David had asked, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away
the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the
armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17: 26) David recognizes what this Philistine champion
is, a reproach against Israel and an enemy of the living God! When Saul, king of Israel, heard
the words that David spoke, he sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail
because of him (Goliath); your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17: 32)
You can hear the boldness of God in David’s words! One can almost hear the godly anger
against this enemy of God welling up in his voice.
Although David was a young man, he was skilled in fighting. He tells Saul about how he had
killed both the lion and the bear. He said, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep,
and when a lion or bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it, and
delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard,
and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and bear; and this Philistine
will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David
said, ‘The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’” (1 Sam. 17: 34 - 37) Saul was taken by
the boldness of David. He said, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” (Verse 37)
David was not afraid of Goliath! He went to the brook and took out five smooth stones and
placed them in his pouch, having his sling in his hand and drew near to the Philistine. When
Goliath saw David, he began to ridicule him and threaten to kill him. But David did not fear
Goliath and stood his ground. David said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a
spear, and with a javelin, But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the
armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand,
and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of
the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may
know that there is a God in Israel. Then this assembly will know that the Lord does not
save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our
hands.” (1 Sam. 45 - 47)
David did not speak these brave words and then turn and run when Goliath started toward
him. Many times we hear people speak brave and strong words, but when the moment of the
crisis comes, they will become frightened and start running away from the battle. When this
happens, they usually will lose the battle. We have to be like David, and boldly stand out
ground! Then when the enemy makes his move toward us, we need to run toward the enemy
and strike him and destroy him!
David, when Goliath arose and came near to meet him, placed one of the stones that he had
gotten from the brook into his sling and what did he do? He ran! He ran toward Goliath and
he slung the stone from the sling, striking the giant in the forehead. Goliath fell to the ground
and David took out the giants sword and killed him and took off his head. When this
happened, the Philistine army ran from the armies of Israel and were defeated.
David gave us the example of what we should do in the face of our enemy. He did not allow
fear to overtake him. He knew that God would deliver him from the enemy and that he would
win! We, as born again believers, need to rise up with boldness! When we are faced with
problems that the enemy brings to us, we need to be like David and run toward that enemy
and strike him and defeat him!
Eph. 6: 10 - 18
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.
12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in heavenly places.
13. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness,
15. and having shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked one.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
When reading these verses, have you noticed that the armor of God is different from most
armor you have ever read about? There is (1) “girded your waist with truth” (2) "the
breastplate of righteousness,” (3) “shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;” (4) “the shield of faith” (5) “the helmet of salvation,” and (6) “the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.” All these items cover the front of the believer. None of
these parts of the armor cover the back of the believer! What does that tell you? It means that
God does not intend for you to turn and run from the enemy! As born again believers, we are
to face the enemy head on and stand against him! We are to stand firm and defeat the
enemy!
Furthermore, we are told that we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the
saints.” It is our responsibility as born again believers, to continually pray in the Spirit for one
another. We are to be strong in the Lord and be watchful, with all perseverance and
supplication. When we go to the house of God, we are gathering together as a mighty army
of the Lord! When we are assembled together, our prayers are strong! When we are
together, we help one another to continue with perseverance. We need to be humble before
the Lord for the battle is His! He will fight for us!
This is why we need to read the Bible and learn of God. We need to gain strength in the
Lord. Then when we face problems in life, we can come against them in the name of Jesus
and defeat the enemy. If we will learn to put on the whole armor of God and face the enemy,
rather than run from him, we will win! The battle is the Lord’s! Stand firm in Him!
By E. Richard Bridgeforth, Sr.
Copyright 2010 by World Prophetic Outreach Ministries
Many times we face battles that are seemingly insurmountable. We face sickness, disease,
financial problems, other various problems in our daily lives. Someone may say, “Well, that’s
just a part of life.” Most people accept the fact that the problems we face in our lives are
inescapable. Most people will try to deal with their problems on their own initiative and some
are successful in overcoming some of them. There are some problems that are seemingly
minor enough that we can correct them and go on with our lives. Yet there are other
problems that come into our lives that we may not be able to cope with and we have to seek
help. Many people will seek out doctors, psychiatrists, financial advisors or some other
professional who can help them alleviate or completely do away with their problems.
Sometimes these professionals can be very helpful and they are often needed.
As born again believers, however, we have one who is better to talk to when we face
problems, whether they are Spiritual or physical problems. This person is Almighty God. I
am not saying that we should not seek professional help. There is a time and a place for
their services and they are a needed profession. However, as born again believers, we need
to learn to place our faith (our trust, reliance and complete confidence) in God.
When we read the account of David and Goliath, we see that the armies of Israel was facing
a big problem with the Philistine army. The Philistines had a “champion” named Goliath,
who was a giant, a man who was 9 feet and 2 inches tall and was very strong. Because of
this one man, the entire army of Israel was fearful of the Philistine army. They would draw the
battle line each day and run out to fight. But when they did this, Goliath would step out and
demand that Israel send a man to fight him. He would issue a demand, “Why have you
come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose
a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill
me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall
be our servants and serve us. And the philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day;
give me a man, that we may fight together.’” (1 Sam. 17: 8 - 10)
One day Jesse sent his son, David, to take supplies to his brothers, who were in Saul’s
army, and to the “captain of their thousand.” (1 Sam. 17: 13 - 18) We are told that when
David got to the place where the armies were facing each other, he heard the demands of
Goliath. He saw how the “all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and
were dreadfully afraid.” (1 Sam. 17: 20 - 24)
David had asked, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away
the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the
armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17: 26) David recognizes what this Philistine champion
is, a reproach against Israel and an enemy of the living God! When Saul, king of Israel, heard
the words that David spoke, he sent for him. David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail
because of him (Goliath); your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17: 32)
You can hear the boldness of God in David’s words! One can almost hear the godly anger
against this enemy of God welling up in his voice.
Although David was a young man, he was skilled in fighting. He tells Saul about how he had
killed both the lion and the bear. He said, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep,
and when a lion or bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it, and
delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard,
and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and bear; and this Philistine
will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David
said, ‘The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’” (1 Sam. 17: 34 - 37) Saul was taken by
the boldness of David. He said, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” (Verse 37)
David was not afraid of Goliath! He went to the brook and took out five smooth stones and
placed them in his pouch, having his sling in his hand and drew near to the Philistine. When
Goliath saw David, he began to ridicule him and threaten to kill him. But David did not fear
Goliath and stood his ground. David said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a
spear, and with a javelin, But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the
armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand,
and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of
the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may
know that there is a God in Israel. Then this assembly will know that the Lord does not
save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our
hands.” (1 Sam. 45 - 47)
David did not speak these brave words and then turn and run when Goliath started toward
him. Many times we hear people speak brave and strong words, but when the moment of the
crisis comes, they will become frightened and start running away from the battle. When this
happens, they usually will lose the battle. We have to be like David, and boldly stand out
ground! Then when the enemy makes his move toward us, we need to run toward the enemy
and strike him and destroy him!
David, when Goliath arose and came near to meet him, placed one of the stones that he had
gotten from the brook into his sling and what did he do? He ran! He ran toward Goliath and
he slung the stone from the sling, striking the giant in the forehead. Goliath fell to the ground
and David took out the giants sword and killed him and took off his head. When this
happened, the Philistine army ran from the armies of Israel and were defeated.
David gave us the example of what we should do in the face of our enemy. He did not allow
fear to overtake him. He knew that God would deliver him from the enemy and that he would
win! We, as born again believers, need to rise up with boldness! When we are faced with
problems that the enemy brings to us, we need to be like David and run toward that enemy
and strike him and defeat him!
Eph. 6: 10 - 18
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.
12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in heavenly places.
13. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness,
15. and having shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked one.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
When reading these verses, have you noticed that the armor of God is different from most
armor you have ever read about? There is (1) “girded your waist with truth” (2) "the
breastplate of righteousness,” (3) “shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;” (4) “the shield of faith” (5) “the helmet of salvation,” and (6) “the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.” All these items cover the front of the believer. None of
these parts of the armor cover the back of the believer! What does that tell you? It means that
God does not intend for you to turn and run from the enemy! As born again believers, we are
to face the enemy head on and stand against him! We are to stand firm and defeat the
enemy!
Furthermore, we are told that we are to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the
saints.” It is our responsibility as born again believers, to continually pray in the Spirit for one
another. We are to be strong in the Lord and be watchful, with all perseverance and
supplication. When we go to the house of God, we are gathering together as a mighty army
of the Lord! When we are assembled together, our prayers are strong! When we are
together, we help one another to continue with perseverance. We need to be humble before
the Lord for the battle is His! He will fight for us!
This is why we need to read the Bible and learn of God. We need to gain strength in the
Lord. Then when we face problems in life, we can come against them in the name of Jesus
and defeat the enemy. If we will learn to put on the whole armor of God and face the enemy,
rather than run from him, we will win! The battle is the Lord’s! Stand firm in Him!
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