LoveKey Church
In The Name of the Lord of Hosts
Hello everyone and welcome to our second session of our "Reign in Life" series entitled: "In The Name of The Lord of Hosts" https://linktr.ee/lovekeymission info@lovekey.co.za
Locations & Times
John Murray Dance Studio
Urtel Crescent, Triangle House, Firgrove Rural, Cape Town, 7110, South Africa
Sunday 10:00 AM
LoveKey Church
LoveKey Church Website
https://lovekeymission.com
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What is LoveKey Church All About?
Our name comes from the fact that we believe that the KEY to salvation (giving your life to Jesus, becoming a reborn Christian) is the revelation of how much God LOVES you. And the KEY to living the life He has for us is to LOVE him back. That’s why LoveKey Church is a local expression of a part of the body of Christ with a focus on creating a place, opportunity and atmosphere where all people can encounter God, align with His purposes in order to reign in life, and help others to do the same.
ENCOUNTER, ALIGN REIGN, HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME - easy way to remember it.
We believe the Bible is the word of God and we commit to be obedient to it with the leading of the Holy Spirit
We believe that marriage and family is God’s idea and His way of doing it is the right way and the best way. We want to see marriages thrive and families be healthy in Jesus. Because healthy families build a healthy nation - notice I didn’t say “perfect” families, I said healthy - whole in Jesus, reconciled in Jesus, redeemed by Jesus, focused on Jesus.
We stand for unity in the body of Christ - we can be diverse but not divided, and celebrate our different gifts and roles in the greater body of Christ. We really resonate with Jesus’ prayer in John 17 where he asks that the Father will make us all one as He and the Father are one so that the world will know that He sent Him. Our biggest evangelical tool is unity!
We want to help eradicate fatherlessness and shine a light on the crisis of cultural Christianity - South Africa has a physical fatherlessness rate of 62% and other forms of fatherlessness in the remaining percentage - it truly is a huge problem.
Cultural Christianity is where people grow up in a so-called Christian home or culture and believe that that makes them a Christian, when in fact it is very possible that the culture they’re in has adopted a version of God that is convenient, made it apart of their culture and they’re actually worshipping their culture.
We want this to be a multi-generational, multi-cultural church that lives to know Jesus and to make Him known.
ENCOUNTER, ALIGN REIGN, HELP OTHERS DO THE SAME - easy way to remember it.
We believe the Bible is the word of God and we commit to be obedient to it with the leading of the Holy Spirit
We believe that marriage and family is God’s idea and His way of doing it is the right way and the best way. We want to see marriages thrive and families be healthy in Jesus. Because healthy families build a healthy nation - notice I didn’t say “perfect” families, I said healthy - whole in Jesus, reconciled in Jesus, redeemed by Jesus, focused on Jesus.
We stand for unity in the body of Christ - we can be diverse but not divided, and celebrate our different gifts and roles in the greater body of Christ. We really resonate with Jesus’ prayer in John 17 where he asks that the Father will make us all one as He and the Father are one so that the world will know that He sent Him. Our biggest evangelical tool is unity!
We want to help eradicate fatherlessness and shine a light on the crisis of cultural Christianity - South Africa has a physical fatherlessness rate of 62% and other forms of fatherlessness in the remaining percentage - it truly is a huge problem.
Cultural Christianity is where people grow up in a so-called Christian home or culture and believe that that makes them a Christian, when in fact it is very possible that the culture they’re in has adopted a version of God that is convenient, made it apart of their culture and they’re actually worshipping their culture.
We want this to be a multi-generational, multi-cultural church that lives to know Jesus and to make Him known.
Offer to Serve
Offer to Serve Link
OFFER TO SERVE INVITEIf you feel led by God to be a part of this vision and mission, please contact us at info@lovekey.co.za or fill out our Offer to Serve form on the Church Center app, or online:
https://forms.gle/ufM5cD8KYabn365s6Spotlight Social
We would like to bring our whole church community together with the Spotlight Social app. Please download and create and account and link up with LoveKey Church.
https://spolightsocial.app
Please Pray for our leaders, members, marriages, families and our nation
Partner with LoveKey Church
What You Partner With:
Thank you for partnering with our ministry so that we can: 1. reach more people with the gospel message 2. Positively impact marriages and families 3. Play a role in eradicating fatherlessness 4. Shine a light on the crisis of cultural Christianity 5. Minister Unity to the body of Christ 6. Sow into what we hope to be future social justice projects in our local community 6. Sow into trusted organizations preaching the gospel in Israel to Jews, and helping Jews relocate to Israel.- FIRM Foundation and One For Israel
https://lovekeymission.com/partnerEFT: Banking Details: LoveKey NPC, FNB, Current Account Number: 62824888525, Branch code: 250655
Card Payment link: https://pay.yoco.com/lovekey-npc
PayPal: partner@lovekey.co.za
Card Payment link: https://pay.yoco.com/lovekey-npc
PayPal: partner@lovekey.co.za
Cheerful Giver
Here is another easy way for you to partner with our ministry. Cheerful Giver enables you to easily give any amount of your choice to LoveKey Church through whatsapp. You set up your profile and link your card once, and then you're good to give!
https://www.cheerfulgiver.co.za/give/LK
Ways to Partner
Praise and Worship Scripture
Reign In Life
In The Name of the Lord of Hosts
MAIN MESSAGE:
REIGN IN LIFE - “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS”
New Series: REIGN IN LIFE
Main scripture:
Romans 5:17 - 'For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.'
Second Topic: The power of the name of the Lord
Main Scriptures:
The Bible promises us trials and tribulations, tough times, suffering… And it tells us to “count it all joy” and “glory” when it happens. Jesus himself tells us to take heart for in Him we will have peace because he has overcome the world.
I know many of us have a picture of Jesus in our heads and for the most part it’s probably of a smiling, friendly Jesus (hopefully not blue-eyed with blonde spaniel hair) holding a lamb or something like that. And although this picture is probably true, it is not the only one of Him. Sometimes we need to also know that he is the commander of the army of the Lord.
Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Revelation 19:12-16
'His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.'
I Samuel 16:7, 12-13, 18 NKJV
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.””
I Samuel 17:26, 30-31, 33-51 NKJV
“Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “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?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck 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 lion and bear; and this uncircumcised 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.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Then David said to the Philistine, “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 camp 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 all this assembly shall 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.” So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.”
Israel is fearful because of a lack of knowledge of their true identity. They are in this situation because their leader has been disobedient and even though God anointed Him, he has lost God’s blessing because of his pride and stubbornness.
Disobedience and pride has caused a top down effect that has caused the whole of Israel’s army to quiver in fear because they were not focused on whose people they are, who their God is that they are in covenant with - but they were focused on the scary tactics and bombastic and obnoxious threats and curses shouted by Goliath on behalf of the enemy, the Philistines.
The young David, who had been freshly anointed by Samuel, the last judge, to be the next king of Israel, still a youth, a young boy - we keep reading he was ruddy and good-looking. He “coincidentally” happens to go to the battlefield - the reason? Bring food to your brothers - the real soldiers, the older men.
When he arrives he notices how scared the Israelites are, how Goliath is cursing the people of God and he proceeds to find out more about what is in it for the one who beats Goliath - interesting: it almost seems like he is so sure he will beat the enemy that he is more focused on the prize than the actual fight…
Imagine a bunch of Christians who are more focused on the glory of the kingdom of heaven than the fight with the enemy on a daily basis…
David speaks up and calls Goliath an uncircumcised Philistine who defies the army of God - David has pinpointed exactly what is going on.
Goliath is not circumcised - he is not in covenant with the living God- David and the Israelites are - but only David knows this as a deep conviction
The army belongs to God, so Goliath is first and foremost insulting and cursing God - because when you curse and insult someone who belongs to God, you do so to God himself… Just throwing it out there…
David is not arrogant or prideful or posturing based on his own strength - please note this, it is very important - his confidence, hope, and conviction lies squarely on God and springs from his relationship with God
Saul hears about David’s words and calls for him
David now knows what Saul has offered as a prize and he just knows he can beat Goliath, although the odds in this realm are impossible
Saul tries to bring David back to reality and dissuade him from fighting Goliath. David insists. Saul gives him his armour - he wants to put on him what is the norm, what works for him, what everyone there thinks will protect him from bodily harm. David shakes it off because it is uncomfortable and because he cannot be himself with it on
We need to take a serious note here- each and everyone of us have been given a purpose. We have natural and supernatural gifts and talents that play a role in fulfilling our purpose. We need to do exactly what God has called us for and not compare or try to be like anyone else.
Our past testimonies are very important - David slaying the bear and lion led him to know God is with him and gave him confidence that He will do so again.
David goes out to battle Goliath. David is met with a giant who is offended at his very existence, and who feels insulted that Israel sent this little boy to fight him when he asked for their champion. Goliath insults David and curses him saying he will feed his carcass to the birds and animals.
David who is much younger and physically much smaller is not intimidated. He answers the giant with a holy defiance: “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 camp 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 all this assembly shall 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.”
David’s confidence in the Lord is solid, unmovable, it is inspiring! David has such a clear understanding of God’s position in all this and his own role as well. David knows he comes in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel - so he understands God’s authority and that it is not airy-fairy make-believe, but real and powerful. He also understands that being in covenant with God makes him as God’s covenant son unstoppable. He knows the battle is the Lord’s and that He will give Goliath into the hands of the Israelistes.
Notice how David speaks of “us”, and focuses on God’s people even though his own brother who is a soldier was giving him grief - David shows a level of maturity that helps him to discern what the bigger picture is.
I just love the line that says David hurried toward Goliath and as he was running got a stone out and hit him between the eyes. David took action, his confidence in God moved him to take charge of the situation. It seems to create an element of surprise for Goliath who possibly moved slower due to his size… and age… :-)
All the build-up, days of enduring this torment and David sorts it out in an afternoon - how? He knows His God.
Perhaps there are seasons or trials, torment and challenges in our life that are prolonged because we do not yet have the deep revelation of how powerful our God is. Perhaps we are not in covenant with Him yet and that’s why we do not have the confidence - you can step into covenant by giving your life to Him and accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour and make him Lord of your life. It does not guarantee an easy life in worldly terms, but it does promise a life filled with God and an eternity of glory in His everlasting presence.
David doesn’t just stop there, remember he told Goliath he will cut off his head - but he did not have a sword, so he took Goliath’s own sword and decapitated him. Can you see that even in that moment he had supernatural strength - a moment ago he couldn’t carry armour on him, but now he wields a sword of a giant?
David making swift work on the champion of the enemy caused the whole army of the Philistines to run in fear - so they worshipped Goliath in the sense that they put all their hope in him and when he failed, they failed.
The gods of our enemies are dead. They have no power. And the one who actually is their god even when they do not realise it, is the devil, and he has already lost.
Jesus is our king and he is victorious! He has already one and we are in covenant with him
Jesus owns all things and has authority over all things and we are his co-heirs!
How about we start acting like it?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Do you know deep down that you truly are a born-again child of God? That you have a covenant relationship with Him that is so sure and powerful that you know that you know you are covered by Him, protected by Him, lead by him and that you are victorious because of Him?
If you are not sure, please make sure today by making a real decision to follow Christ
Please pray this after me…
If you’re battling a Goliath of any kind right now in your life: illness, finances, the death of a loved one, a big disappointment, whatever it may be - please take a note from David- approach the throne of grace with boldness, approach each problem with the confident knowledge that God is in charge and on your side.
If you are facing something like that, please raise your hands so we can pray for you.
REIGN IN LIFE - “IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS”
New Series: REIGN IN LIFE
Main scripture:
Romans 5:17 - 'For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.'
Second Topic: The power of the name of the Lord
Main Scriptures:
The Bible promises us trials and tribulations, tough times, suffering… And it tells us to “count it all joy” and “glory” when it happens. Jesus himself tells us to take heart for in Him we will have peace because he has overcome the world.
I know many of us have a picture of Jesus in our heads and for the most part it’s probably of a smiling, friendly Jesus (hopefully not blue-eyed with blonde spaniel hair) holding a lamb or something like that. And although this picture is probably true, it is not the only one of Him. Sometimes we need to also know that he is the commander of the army of the Lord.
Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”
Revelation 19:12-16
'His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.'
I Samuel 16:7, 12-13, 18 NKJV
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
18 Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.””
I Samuel 17:26, 30-31, 33-51 NKJV
“Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “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?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck 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 lion and bear; and this uncircumcised 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.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Then David said to the Philistine, “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 camp 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 all this assembly shall 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.” So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.”
Israel is fearful because of a lack of knowledge of their true identity. They are in this situation because their leader has been disobedient and even though God anointed Him, he has lost God’s blessing because of his pride and stubbornness.
Disobedience and pride has caused a top down effect that has caused the whole of Israel’s army to quiver in fear because they were not focused on whose people they are, who their God is that they are in covenant with - but they were focused on the scary tactics and bombastic and obnoxious threats and curses shouted by Goliath on behalf of the enemy, the Philistines.
The young David, who had been freshly anointed by Samuel, the last judge, to be the next king of Israel, still a youth, a young boy - we keep reading he was ruddy and good-looking. He “coincidentally” happens to go to the battlefield - the reason? Bring food to your brothers - the real soldiers, the older men.
When he arrives he notices how scared the Israelites are, how Goliath is cursing the people of God and he proceeds to find out more about what is in it for the one who beats Goliath - interesting: it almost seems like he is so sure he will beat the enemy that he is more focused on the prize than the actual fight…
Imagine a bunch of Christians who are more focused on the glory of the kingdom of heaven than the fight with the enemy on a daily basis…
David speaks up and calls Goliath an uncircumcised Philistine who defies the army of God - David has pinpointed exactly what is going on.
Goliath is not circumcised - he is not in covenant with the living God- David and the Israelites are - but only David knows this as a deep conviction
The army belongs to God, so Goliath is first and foremost insulting and cursing God - because when you curse and insult someone who belongs to God, you do so to God himself… Just throwing it out there…
David is not arrogant or prideful or posturing based on his own strength - please note this, it is very important - his confidence, hope, and conviction lies squarely on God and springs from his relationship with God
Saul hears about David’s words and calls for him
David now knows what Saul has offered as a prize and he just knows he can beat Goliath, although the odds in this realm are impossible
Saul tries to bring David back to reality and dissuade him from fighting Goliath. David insists. Saul gives him his armour - he wants to put on him what is the norm, what works for him, what everyone there thinks will protect him from bodily harm. David shakes it off because it is uncomfortable and because he cannot be himself with it on
We need to take a serious note here- each and everyone of us have been given a purpose. We have natural and supernatural gifts and talents that play a role in fulfilling our purpose. We need to do exactly what God has called us for and not compare or try to be like anyone else.
Our past testimonies are very important - David slaying the bear and lion led him to know God is with him and gave him confidence that He will do so again.
David goes out to battle Goliath. David is met with a giant who is offended at his very existence, and who feels insulted that Israel sent this little boy to fight him when he asked for their champion. Goliath insults David and curses him saying he will feed his carcass to the birds and animals.
David who is much younger and physically much smaller is not intimidated. He answers the giant with a holy defiance: “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 camp 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 all this assembly shall 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.”
David’s confidence in the Lord is solid, unmovable, it is inspiring! David has such a clear understanding of God’s position in all this and his own role as well. David knows he comes in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel - so he understands God’s authority and that it is not airy-fairy make-believe, but real and powerful. He also understands that being in covenant with God makes him as God’s covenant son unstoppable. He knows the battle is the Lord’s and that He will give Goliath into the hands of the Israelistes.
Notice how David speaks of “us”, and focuses on God’s people even though his own brother who is a soldier was giving him grief - David shows a level of maturity that helps him to discern what the bigger picture is.
I just love the line that says David hurried toward Goliath and as he was running got a stone out and hit him between the eyes. David took action, his confidence in God moved him to take charge of the situation. It seems to create an element of surprise for Goliath who possibly moved slower due to his size… and age… :-)
All the build-up, days of enduring this torment and David sorts it out in an afternoon - how? He knows His God.
Perhaps there are seasons or trials, torment and challenges in our life that are prolonged because we do not yet have the deep revelation of how powerful our God is. Perhaps we are not in covenant with Him yet and that’s why we do not have the confidence - you can step into covenant by giving your life to Him and accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour and make him Lord of your life. It does not guarantee an easy life in worldly terms, but it does promise a life filled with God and an eternity of glory in His everlasting presence.
David doesn’t just stop there, remember he told Goliath he will cut off his head - but he did not have a sword, so he took Goliath’s own sword and decapitated him. Can you see that even in that moment he had supernatural strength - a moment ago he couldn’t carry armour on him, but now he wields a sword of a giant?
David making swift work on the champion of the enemy caused the whole army of the Philistines to run in fear - so they worshipped Goliath in the sense that they put all their hope in him and when he failed, they failed.
The gods of our enemies are dead. They have no power. And the one who actually is their god even when they do not realise it, is the devil, and he has already lost.
Jesus is our king and he is victorious! He has already one and we are in covenant with him
Jesus owns all things and has authority over all things and we are his co-heirs!
How about we start acting like it?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Do you know deep down that you truly are a born-again child of God? That you have a covenant relationship with Him that is so sure and powerful that you know that you know you are covered by Him, protected by Him, lead by him and that you are victorious because of Him?
If you are not sure, please make sure today by making a real decision to follow Christ
Please pray this after me…
If you’re battling a Goliath of any kind right now in your life: illness, finances, the death of a loved one, a big disappointment, whatever it may be - please take a note from David- approach the throne of grace with boldness, approach each problem with the confident knowledge that God is in charge and on your side.
If you are facing something like that, please raise your hands so we can pray for you.