WHAT IS TRUE FASTING

Matthew 6:16-18

 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

· Mathew 6:1-18 Three commonly abused religious practices – By any religious people. Giving (Our duty towards others) – Prayer – Fasting (Our duty towards God)

· Religious leaders such as teachers of the Law, Pharisees and Sadducees were condemned by Jesus for leading people to self worship instead of honouring God

Mat 23:13-33 a huge list of curses (Woe) upon the religious leaders for misleading people for their own benefit and financial gain.

James 3:1 James warns the church leaders “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

Being a leader or teacher is a proud feeling in leading others but at the same time it has danger, if one seeks self honor and gain.

The passage follows after the guidance on Prayer. The order Jesus meant is that “You can pray without fasting but can never fast without prayer” that’s the Biblical understanding about fasting.

Fasting – Commonly skipping the meal/s to concentrate on God. We try to say to God, “Lord I value you more than my food – I depend on you more than my essential survival element.”

Food is the key thing for human survival –Why do you study? – For good work / Success – Why is the good work? – To earn money – Why to earn money? – To eat food. The final step of all our endeavours ends in food and easy living. Paul says in 2 Thess. 2:10 – ““If anyone will not work, he will not eat.”

Matthew 6:16 – “When you fast” He did not say “If you fast” (Which would be an option). We understand that fasting is the duty of every Christian to concentrate on God and spiritual growth.

Pharisees fasted Monday & Thursdays (Market gathering days in ancient Israel) – It is due to the belief of Moses ascended and descended with the Ten Commandments. They counted those days more sacred than other days. At the same time those days attracted big audiences and cities crowded with people to buy and sell stuff.

Jesus while speaking about these three essential practices he meant to convey one message – Dont try to seek own glory and appreciation but to please God who rewards people in public while watching the good deeds in secret. What was the mindset of religious leaders in Fasting, Giving and Prayer?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS CONDEMNED BY JESUS IN FASTING

1.    They wanted to POSE themselves before others: (v. 16)

Posing means acting (look gloomy) – often used in photography. No genuine interest but for the sake of something or to impress somebody.

Show off – Some people act before their bosses as hard workers. Jesus calls them as “Hypocrites” who act to impress others while forgetting God sees everything plain and naked. The verse continues “disfigure their faces” we heard about “Configure” something to its best stage.

Do people need to see my devotion to God? Absolutely NO

2.    They wanted to POST themselves before others (v.16)

v. 16 continues “that their fasting may be seen by others”

Post or advertise it before others – I don’t condemn someone advertising a corporate fasting invitation for specific reasons. Individual fasting do not need to be advertised to others so that someone may inspire or appreciate their efforts.

6:2 – About giving Jesus used the same words “when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you.”

6:5 - About prayer Jesus used the words, “For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.”

Do people need to appreciate or get impressed of my fasting / Giving/ Prayer? Absolutely NO

3.    They wanted to be PRAISED by others (6:2)

Mat 6:2 the intention of those hypocrites is to be praised by others, “that they may be praised by others”

Other two acts such as prayer and fasting people need to see and praise them of their devotion or generosity. The complete aim is of self glory and praise from others.

Huge offering? long and fancy prayer? Long and strict fasting? People will praise those endeavors. It should not be the intention of a believer.

Do my giving / Prayer / Fasting be praised by others? Absolutely NO

WHAT SHOULD BE MY ATTITUDE IN FASTING?

SECRECY – Opposite to posting or advertising my duty towards god.

·  v.4 - “Your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

·  v.6 - “Pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”

·  v. 18 - Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you

God sees us in our secret places – Nothing needs to be advertised if it is true and devoted.

SANCTITY – Opposite to seeking self glory and promotion (Fasting without righteousness condemned in Zech 7:4-5 & 8-10) - “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

SINCERITY – Opposite to acting something as if nothing comes sincerely

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR WHICH I CAN FAST AND PRAY?

1.    Fasting is appropriate for mourning over some great pain or loss. (Matt 9:15; 2 Sam 12:16-24)

2.    Fasting is appropriate for mourning over sin. (Ezra 10:6; Neh. 9:1-3; Jonah 3:7-9)

3.    Fasting is appropriate for seeking God’s favor in a desperate situation (2 Sam 12:16; Esther 4:15-16; Nehemiah 1)

4.    Fasting is appropriate for seeking wisdom and revelation from God. (Daniel 9 &10; Act 13:1-3)

5.    Fasting is appropriate for preparing some great ministry or task (Lk 4:14; Acts 14:23)

6.    Fasting is appropriate for developing self-control. (1 Cor 9:27)

SCRIPTURE PORTION: Mark 5:1-20

INTRODUCTION

I pet 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Everyone who is “Called into the Kingdom of God” are brought out of “Darkness to wonderful light” (1 Pet 2:9) i.e, the Demonic Kingdom to the Kingdom of God. The shift in the kingdom does not naturally happen, it requires lot of spiritual energy – Unless God works in that process, it cannot happen automatically. Jesus said in John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”

Escape Velocity: Energy or speed required to go out of one atmosphere to another. It is very high in terms of human understanding. Escape Velocity for earth is 11.2 Kms/Sec, the Escape velocity for Jupiter is 28.3 Kms/Sec. If you want to go out of earth’s atmosphere and go to the space such great amount of energy is required. Moving from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God require supernatural intervention which must be initiated by God. That’s why we call Salvation does not happen through human desire but along with the divine predestination of God.

Children ministry is a key factor where we can spend less time and energy to bring them into the Kingdom of God. Many testimonies we hear how people gave their hearts to Jesus when they were young and children ministry initiatives.

Transformation or Renewal is a beautiful thing but cannot happen automatically or naturally (Reformation of church in 1517 under Martin Luther required lot of opposition from various levels – but once happen it stays forever – it cannot go back to the old stage: Bulb factory visit in Pallavaram – It goes through very high temperature and once air blows the shape remains the same forever and never goes back to the old stage)

Kingdom effects are not alteration of the earthly characteristics.Kingdom effects are just opposite to the demonic kingdom or strongholds.

SHORT STORY OF THE EVENT EXPLAINED IN MARK 5: 1-20

The region of Gerasenes or Gadarenes (Right side of the sea of Galilee – Jesus ministry often we see in the left side of the sea of Galilee – Capernaum, Nazareth...etc towns we hardly see Jesus moving the other side of the sea for ministry. This is one of the unusual occasions recorded in the scriptures)

Vv 2-5: The descriptions about the demon possessed man

Vv 6-13: Jesus delivered the demon possessed man and its process

Vv 14-20: The response of the people after the man was delivered

We could easily spot out the three Kingdom effects in him which was just opposite to the demonic strongholds he was experiencing, they were just ruining his life and he was in absolute darkness.

1.    KINGDOM EFFECTS CHANGED HIS IDENTITY

Identity defines who we are – it may represent the name or character of a person. Sometimes people are referred with nick names which reflect their character and the person who they are. Facial detection – Artificial intelligence accurately spots out who we are. Facebook identifies 3 Billion of the users using the facial identity.

Probably this man was identified as a Legion, Demon possessed, Mad, Devilish, Harsh or Wild by his behaviour but it was the demons/darkness in him that made him to be in that way. God created man in His image and likeness (Gen 1:27) but when sin entered in humanity, it marred / corrupted the image of God. The kingdom effects restore the image of God when they are saved. 2 Cor 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Eph 4: 22-24 – Put on the new man and put off the old man

Was this man demon possessed since his birth? NO

St. Augustine was a gangster and involved in criminal activities – after his salvation he said, “The Augustine you saw yesterday died and here a new Augustine in Christ” Baptism therefore symbolizes the death to old self and resurrection to Christ. It is therefore their names (identity) often changed.

2.    KINGDOM EFFECTS CHANGED HIS PLACE

A kingdom person cannot live alongside darkness – there must be a change in his place or residence. Darkness and light cannot coexist.

Vv 2-5 we read he lived in tombs for three times. We see a living man among the dead? Was he born amidst the tombs? No. the darkness in him brought where he didn’t belong to.

John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Eternal life.”   2 Cor 6:14 – “What fellowship has light with darkness?”

John 9 we see a miracle of how Jesus opened the eye of a blind man who was sitting and begging in the roadside. As Jesus brought him into the Kingdom with a healing, we see him with Jesus at the end of the chapter praising God for the transformation happened to him (John 9:35)

3.    KINGDOM EFFECTS CHANGED HIS MINDSET

Every unbeliever’s mind is captivated or blinded by Satan (2 Cor. 4:4 - The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ) They would physically see but mind is blinded to see God as their savior. The gospel is veiled to the unbelievers (v.3)

v.15 – The demon possessed man was in his RIGHT MIND sitting besides Jesus after the deliverance. It is the mind field where either God or Satan takes control of a person. It is therefore the proverbs said – “Idol mind is the workshop of Devil”

The mind of this demon possessed man was captivated by Satan but as Jesus brought him into His Kingdom, he was in clear and right mindset – He was naked previously but now wearing cloths. Kingdom effects bring transformation in Mind (what an amazing change?) which obviously leads to the holistic transformation of Body, Soul and Spirit.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of YOUR MIND, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Today many children and adult are mentally captured to different things through which Satan ruin the life of the future generations. Children are addicted to PUBG games, Pornography, evil behaviours – the only way to bring them out of the mental addiction is through Gospel and Kingdom effects NOT counselling or teaching good manners.

THE COST OF THIS TRANSFORMATION

a. Spiritual Opposition: The demon possessed man said to Jesus (v.7) Don’t trouble me Jesus! – in fact he was in troubles but the spiritual forces in him restricted to get into the Kingdom of God – You also may face as you do the children ministry. Satan knows that if the children get to know Jesus, he will lose them – He will try all measures to stop your ministries – But ultimate victory belongs to Jesus and His Kingdom.

b. Social Opposition: People were afraid of the delivered man (v.15) – It is irony that he was troubling people earlier but people felt it is ok (They should have been afraid of him when he was in the tomb). The aftermath of the deliverance, people of that area urged Jesus to leave the place (v.17) – Many more miracles or deliverance to that village was stopped due to their opposition. You may also be asked by people to stop the children ministry or clubs – But ultimate victory belongs to Jesus and His Kingdom.

c. Financial Loss: About 2000 pigs ran from the mountain areas and drowned into the sea (v.13). This might be a great financial loss for the owners and those who tend them.

CONCLUSION:

We are in the place of Christ in advancing the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom effects bring change in identity, place and mindset of the individuals who are called into it. We are called into the Kingdom to bring others into the Kingdom. We do not get all we wish for (Jesus did not grant the wish of the delivered man v.19 – however I wonder Jesus grant the wish of the demons v.13), but we are given what we need for.

The passage ends with a very positive note – the delivered man proclaimed gospel in all ten towns of that area and people were amazed of his testimony. (v. 20 - So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed). The purpose that you are in the ministry/Kingdom is to declare the praises of Him who brought you out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Pet 2:9).

May God help us to do it – “Let His Kingdom come and His will be done.” Amen

What is Christmas? Is it the Trees? Santa clause? Decoration? Star? Cake? Dress.. etc?

What is Christmas? Asked in Developed Western Countries?

    ·         61% Said Being around the family and Friends

·         12% Said Break from Work and Worries

·         10% Said Celebrations and Decorations

·         5%  Said Exchanging Gifts

·         12% Said the Birth of Jesus

The Birth of Christ Jesus and the message that Christmas brought into the world is not related to just a baby or a birthday celebration. Even though there are lot of debates about the December 25^th celebrated as Christmas but it is certain that Christ was born and saved the Humanity from divine wrath.

The names mentioned in the New Testament for Christ has divine significance because it reveals the true message of Christmas to the world. The Biblical names in itself has significance related to their personalities – most of the times there was reason and attributes related to the given names.

We could see four names given for Christ in the New Testament and the message we get out of those names,

1.      Christmas Proclaims the Message of Salvation: (JESUS)

The name “Jesus” was revealed both to Joseph and Mary prior to the birth of Christ Jesus (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-33)

Mat 1:21, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (To Joseph)

Luke 1:31, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” (To Mary)

Jesus (NT) - Iesus (Gk) – Yeshua (Heb) – Joshua (OT) all has the same meaning “Savior” someone who saves people who are in the bondages. The purpose of Jesus’ birth mentioned in both the above passages can be summarized as follows,

·         Jesus Came to Save the World

·         Jesus Came to Establish the Kingdom of God (God’s Kingdom)

·         Jesus Came to rule and reign forever

1 John 2:2, “He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”

Greatest message about Christmas in the Gospel is “God So Loved the World” (John 3:16). The name Jesus means “Savior” and He saves people even today from the bondage of sin and darkness. The real Christmas tree can be found without leaves in the mount of Calvary (The Cross). The birth of Jesus boldly proclaims the message of Salvation even today.

Jesus can save you even today! If you are a believer share the message of salvation to the lost world.

2.      Christmas Proclaims the Message of Hope: (IMMANUEL) “God With Us”

The name “Immanuel” was prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14) and fulfilled at the birth of Christmas. Matthew 1:22-23: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Christian faith is unique – It teaches “God with people” NOT “People becoming god” NOR “People looking for god.” The God of the Bible is communicable, imminent and relational personality. Genesis 1 we read about God speaks, reveals and lets people know who He is. He is not hidden or lives far away from people.

“God with Us” (Immanuel) is a message of Hope which often reminds people that they no longer need to be in despair, isolation, rejection, separation or in loneliness. Immanuel is with us, no matter we go away from Him, He is with us to still the storm.

A very loving phrase of God “I will never leave you nor forsake you” is found multiple times in the Bible (Deut 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5,6; 1 Chr. 28:20; Isaiah 41:10; Mat 28:20). Relations, parents, friends and family might forsake you but God gives hope out of hopelessness with His divine presence.

The name “Immanuel” signifies that God is with us - no need to feel rejection, loneliness, isolation – God will give you hope out of hopelessness.

Irish story – Christina a young girl wanted to live free and without any control on her single mother. One day left home, thinking that she got freedom but lost in the world. Years passed by she felt rejection, despair and anguish wanted to go back home but felt of guilty. He mother with her old picture searched everywhere and wherever she went nailed a picture of her. Christina found one of such pictures and looked backside. It was written, “Whatever you have done, Whatever you have become doesn’t matter – please come home.” The words brought her tears and went back to her mother’s house. She found hope back in her.” Jesus calls people with bondage and heavy burdens to come to him and find hope in him (Matthew 11:28)

3.      Christmas Proclaims the Message of Redemption: (CHRIST) “Messiah”

The message about the birth of Christ was proclaimed to the poor shepherds in Luke 2:11, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Christ means Messiah, Redeemer, Lord, Anointed one of God.

Messiah in Jewish understanding is someone who is born of David’s lineage, sits in David’s throne, and redeems the people from all oppression. The term “Redeemer” means someone who pays a price and redeems them out of bondage or darkness. In the book of Ruth we read about the “Kinsman Redeemer” who redeemed someone’s property and relationship.

The redemption of sin in the Old Testament was through the sacrifice or blood of animals or birds. If a person meets with an accident – blood transmission from another person is the only hope of survival – no other blood could save him. A sinner can be redeemed by the sinless person that is through “Christ, the Messiah”

Christ redeems people from their sins, darkness and eternal death even today. Have your sins are forgiven? If so are you spreading the message of redemption through “Christ”

4.      Christmas Proclaims the Message of Restoration: (NAZARENE)

Mat 2: 23, “... and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

Matthew 2 ends with another name “Nazarene” of course mentioned as said through the prophets but we don’t see the proper name in the prophetical books where as we can see others who took on the “Nazarite” vow in the Old Testament.

Nazer (Heb) means Branch. Christ restores what was lost or cut off or broken. Isaiah 10:13-11:1 we read about the judgement on “Israel” for their disobedience and God gives the analogy of “Cut down trees” spiritually. The left out stem later got branches and produce fruits (11:1)

Isaiah 11:1, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Christ restores whatever is cut down, lost or broken and makes them fruitful. If you lost something today, God can produce/restore them out of nothing. The restoration often seems the upside down of all negativities we are going through...

·         From sin to Holiness

·         From nothing to everything

·         From empty to plenty

·         From darkness to light

·         From brokenness to mending

·         From evil to good

Joel 2:25-26, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.”

The message that Christmas proclaims us – Christ restores everything you lost and cut off, because He is a Nazarene.

CONCLUSION:

Christmas proclaims the messages of...

·         Salvation (He will be called Jesus)

·         Hope (Immanuel – God with us)

·         Redemption – (Christ, the Messiah)

·         Restoration (The Nazarene)

Go forward and spread the true message of Christmas to the Lost world!

May God bless you!

=============== 

* Outline taken from a Doctor’s Preaching in Dec 2019

BEING A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

Acts 13:22, “After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”

David, one of the key figures in the Old Testament – First King from the tribe of Judah, whose descendants Jesus, the savoir of the world was born (Mat 1:1). He has lot of positive natures however the Bible records his negative lifestyle also,

·  He was the medium for lot of bloodshed (1 Chr. 22:7-10)

·  He committed adultery, a liar and a murderer (2 Sam. 11)

·  He made wrong decisions which led thousands lose their loves. (2 Sam. 24)

Amidst of all God calls him as the man after His own heart? Surprising? God’s favourites always people’s least favourite and vice versa (1 Cor. 1; 18, 27)

He was least in his family – being the youngest but rejected by all (David’s mother believed to be Jesse’s concubine so that the other brothers hated him wildly). His father had no interest on him since by any way he will not represent his lineage besides other sons. (His father almost forgot David when Samuel came to anoint one of the sons of Jesse) 1 Sam 16:11 - So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

He received hatred from his brothers (1 Sam 17:28) in the battlefield: 1 Samuel 17 we see about the battle of David and Goliath. The story even kids would know – The world uses when simple people defeat the giants. We learn some spiritual lessons from David’s approach that made him outstanding with others. 1 Sam 17:23, David enters into the conversation with the soldiers about Goliath.

Five things can be noted out from his conversation with people in spiritual way.

1. He had Spiritual Preparation (1 Sam 17:29) – His brothers were mad at his arrival to the battlefield. He responded them quietly, “And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” (ASV)

“Is there not a cause?” or “Am I here without a Purpose? – Don’t I have a purpose to come here? The spiritual preparation is always expecting a chance to fight against the evil and the evil one. Goliath despised God, the army of Israel and Saul (vv 8-10). The response of David was courage instead of Fear. The armies hid themselves as they saw the philistine (vv 11, 24). David responded “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (v.26)

Our life has a God ordained purpose in it, we must prepare ourselves to face at any time. God has sent you with a purpose to this battleground. As it is certain battlegrounds are not entertaining, prepare yourself to face it. 

2. He had Spiritual Realization (1 Sam 17:32) – “David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

There are occasions we must understand where to battle and where not – Identifying the above fact will make our battles easier. 1 Cor. 9:26, Paul says, “I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” 

Recognizing what is your battle and what is not makes your time and energy in a useful manner. David identified that did his moment to get in and fight with the uncircumcised Goliath. He proved his spiritual realization.

Paul chose “Good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7) which can award him the eternal reward.

Isaiah chose the battle and said, “Here I am.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Mary said, ^“I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38)

We should have spiritual realization like David – What to do and what not to do?

3. He had Spiritual Confidence (1 Sam 17:37) – “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

1 Sam 17:45-47, “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.”

The phrase, “The Lord will rescue me” proves that he had no confidence on himself but on the Lord. There cannot be a physical comparison between these two – There is no way you can compare them in worldly sense but spiritual confidence enabled him to face the giant.

There are people afraid to face demons and demon possessed people. I often get dreams of chasing demons – since I’m not getting chances to face them in reality. The spiritual confidence enables us to confess “The Lord will deliver me.” The scripture time and again prove that to be real.

Israelite while crossing the red sea – (Ex 14:14), “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Daniel in Lion’s Den – (Dan 6:22), “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions”

4. He had Spiritual Zealous (1 Sam 17:45) – “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied”

Earlier he said to Saul (v.39), “I can’t go with this outfit” – If you do the unfamiliar things which will not help you rather make you uncomfortable. This is not a war of David but Lord’s. V.47, “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.”

David was so angry at the philistine because of his words against the Lord and the army of Israel – This zeal made him to go for any extend! I sometime surprise how Saul allowed David to fight against the mighty Goliath – The challenge is defeating him will result defeat of their army.

David said it later in Ps 69:9, “For zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.” Later the same verse referred to Jesus as he was cleansing the temple in John 2:17.

5. He had Spiritual Humbleness (1 Sam 17:47) – “For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

The terms “Lord’s – into OUR hands” proves that David do not want to take credit of his victory over the enemy rather God made him to be victorious. The victory belongs to everyone whom he represents.

Today the huge temptation for Christian leaders that they take the glory for the victories that came through the Lord. On the contrary David had victory but attributed to the Lord.

Preaching is our duty – the duty of Satan to divert the heart of the people – the work of the Lord is to soften the heart of the hearer to accept the gospel. The major role for all our success and victories is the Lord – This is the battle of the Lord (Ex. 14:14).

Spiritual humbleness always exalts the Lord, put ourselves down (John the Baptist John 1:27; John 3:30). John in his gospel never revealed who he was – “This is he who testifies” (John 21:24)

RESULT:

The result of his spiritual preparation, realization, confidence, zealous and humbleness – He defeated the mighty Goliath. It was an Unexpected, Sure victory for David as he depended on the Lord. He took the head of the giant Goliath – A complete conquest.

Later David said Ps. 144:1, “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

Psalm 18:34, “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

The victory/success of David laid on the failures he faced. The struggles, humiliations and oppositions should make you bolder and give strong trust in the Lord.

David endured in all the negativity in Jesse’s home – He improved the spiritual abilities that made him to be stronger in the Lord – Ultimately he became King and ruled the nation. Above all God testified about David, “He is man after my own heart” (Act 13:22) what a great testimony. Let us aspire to get the same from the Almighty God.