the Valley of Elah where David faced Goliath
Sometimes, given the overwhelming nature of ministry, we tend to default to one of two extremes: giving up or pushing forward in our own strength.
Both are doomed to failure.
God does call us to fight:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.—1 Timothy 6:12
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:—2 Timothy 4:7
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.—Jude 3
But He call us to fight in His strength:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.—Ephesians 6:10–12
Even David, as he faced Goliath, did it with the courage of a warrior who knows the battle is not dependent on him, but on the Lord.
And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.—1 Samuel 17:47
So if you’re overwhelmed today, remember that the impossible-seeming battles can bring us back to the place we should always be—depending on the strength of the Lord.
Yes, we are commanded to fight, but we have to remember that the battle is the Lord’s, and we are already on the winning side.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.—Romans 8:37
