Bump……bump, bump, bump…..bump, bump, bump…..bump, bump, baaaaaaa!
Bump……bump, bump, bump…..bump, bump, bump…..bump, bump, baaaaaaa!
And now you have the theme song from Rocky III, Eye of the Tiger, stuck in your head. You can thank me later. Life is a fight. We are fighting from the moment we take our first breath until the moment we take our last. We fight for position, advancement, and education. We fight with siblings, parents, children, and strangers. Life is a fight!
King David faced many battles in his life—so many that God did not allow him to build the Temple. Instead, Solomon, who reigned at a time of peace, received that honor. Scripture records that at the moment of his anointing as king, the enemies of Israel came out against them (2 Samuel 5:17-29). Israel is a physical nation that has had physical battles. Their uniqueness is that they are also a spiritual nation. So, every physical battle is also spiritual. Often, the opposite is true. The spiritual and the physical affect the emotional. They are all interconnected.
Life is a fight. We often miss that most of our battles as humans are spiritual, not physical. Paul writes we wrestle not against flesh, but against powers and principalities of the air…spiritual.
From David’s life, we learn three principles that pertain to spiritual battles.
First, the reality of spiritual battles.
2 Samuel tells us that the enemy mobilized at the moment of David’s anointing. In this case, the enemy was the Philistines. A few chapters before, David is fighting with the Philistines. Now, he is the king of Israel and their enemy. When God anoints you for a task, the enemy will fight. In general terms, every follower of Christ is anointed to be His representative; as such, you have a target on your back. Life is a fight.
Second, the timing of spiritual battles.
Attacks from the enemy will often follow a spiritual victory. Say that out loud so you can hear it. As followers of Christ, spiritual battles can come at any moment. Remember, the enemy of your soul is relentless. He will attack again and again. Sometimes, in the same places in your life. Our text outlines the following sequence.
The enemy came to fight at the valley of Rephaim.
David prays and wins a great victory.
He gives glory to God.
The energy mobilizes again in the same place.
David prays again and follows God’s precise instructions.
Again, David wins a victory.
Be prepared for the enemy to attack you repeatedly. Life is a fight.
Third, the overcoming of spiritual battles.
Let us be overwhelmed by the fact that we will battle the enemy; let us remember that both times David prayed, both times he followed the Lord’s instructions, both times he won the battle, and both times he gave God all of the credit.
Yes, life is a fight, but you are not alone. Say that out loud. Repeat it like you mean it.
Paul wrote these beautiful words for the church in Rome.
Romans 8:35-39 NLT
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You are not alone. Yes, life is a fight, but your God is victorious. Though we may be attacked, you will ultimately be victorious if you do not give up on the fight. Follow David’s example. Seek the Lord, obey His direction, and give our God all the credit and glory. Stand and fight. You’ve got this!
Through Time 