HE HAS WON FOR US

Ready:

"David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’” — 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NLT

Set:

When I was in college, our men’s basketball team had a Cinderella story moment and made it to the NCAA tournament. We had a university-wide watch party to see with which team we would be matched. The energy and confidence of the whole school stayed high until the teams were picked and our small private school was up against a goliath of the NCAA, Duke University. Just at the announcement of their name, it seemed the whole university fell silent, and we all knew that our Cinderella story was about to come to a quick end once we had to face off with the mighty Duke dynasty. 

This deflated, defeated feeling was probably very similar to what the Israelites army felt when they saw Goliath step out on the battlefield to challenge them to a fight. All of them felt defeated and fearful, but one, and his name was David. Why wasn’t David defeated? Because he knew that with God on his side, the battle had already been won. David had so much confidence in the army of God that no worldly power could shake his faith in God. 

We see in 1 Samuel how David told Goliath that his God was more powerful than swords and weapons, that God had always protected him in the past, and that he knew before this battle ever started, it was over because God had already won. 

Unfortunately, many of us act like the rest of the army, fearing what the world throws at us instead of standing firm on the promise that God has already won the battle. We all need to remember David’s confidence, and trust in God, and start walking in the victory that God gives us each and every day.

Go:   

• What are you fearful of today? How can you give it to God?   
• What would it look like for you to walk in the confidence of God's victory? How can you do this as you start a new season?   
• Will you walk with God or with fear in this new season of sports, school, and ministry?

Workout:

Romans 8:31; Ephesians 6:10-18

Overtime:

Lord God, You are the victor! Forgive me for forgetting Your power, and plan, and how You have already overcome the world. I pray that as life throws obstacles my way, I will have the faith and trust in You to declare victory over any situation. Even when those around me doubt, give me a spirit of strength to lay my own ability at Your feet and stand firm in who You are. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Chrystal Hetland 

Chrystal Hetland previously served FCA as an Area Representative in her hometown of Clarksville, TN. She grew up attending FCA Camps and actively participating in her local FCA at her high school. She graduated from Belmont University in 2017 and received her Master's in 2020.