The Source of Our Victory - when Jesus became your Savior, he made you a new creation, and although you changed, the world did not. There are powers that align themselves against you; the world, the devil, and even your own flesh — they war against your spirit. Sometimes, your battles with these forces are external: attacks on your marriage, finances, and your children. Sometimes, they are internal. All these pressures push us toward doubt and despair, causing us to wonder, “Where is God in all this? I can’t see him beyond my daily battles.” At times, we cry, “Enough!” and draw a line in the sand. We tell ourselves, “I’m tired of being beaten up by the enemy.” Remember, spiritual victory is never our own; it comes from our deliverer

As Christians, we know that Jesus won the victory for us at Calvary. 

He defeated death, Satan, and the power of sin. 

The question remaining for believers is, “Now what? 

"I know Jesus won my victory on the cross, but what about my present conflict? 

"Where is his victory for the battle raging in my life right now?”

It’s an important question, and God’s Word contains an answer for every Christian. 

It begins with this scene: “The Philistines gathered their armies for battle … at Socoh, which belongs to Judah” - (1 Samuel 17:1, ESV). 

This image presents a spiritual truth that never changes: The forces of darkness are arrayed against God’s people.

When Jesus became your Savior, he made you a new creation, and although you changed, the world did not.

There are powers that align themselves against you; the world, the devil, and even your own flesh — they war against your spirit.

Sometimes, your battles with these forces are external: attacks on your marriage, your finances, and your children. 

Sometimes, they are internal. 

Worries nag you, “Will my child ever give his life to the Lord? 

"Am I even worthy to call myself a Christian?”

All these pressures push us toward doubt and despair, causing us to wonder, “Where is God in all this? 

"I can’t see him beyond my daily battles.” 

At times, we cry, “Enough!” and draw a line in the sand. 

We tell ourselves, “I’m tired of being beaten up by the enemy,” but the devil keeps crossing that line.

This happened to Israel as they faced the Philistines.

“The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them” - (1 Samuel 17:3).

Did that stop the enemy? 

Not at all. 

The Philistines brought out a greater weapon in the form of Goliath, a giant of a man.

David knew he was no match for Goliath, but he also knew that the battle wasn’t his but God’s. 

When he heard Goliath’s taunts, he testified:

“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel ….

"For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand” - (1 Samuel 17:46-47).

Remember, spiritual victory is never our own; it comes from our deliverer!

Gary Wilkerson

Gary Wilkerson is an author, public speaker and the president of World Challenge Inc., an international ministry organization founded by his father, David Wilkerson. He has traveled to speak at mission leadership conferences in 70 different countries and supported church planting, relief and evangelism among some of the most unreached people groups on earth.

worldchallenge.org

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