An army scared stiff

The Philistines were at war again. Their army lined up on one side of a valley, and the Israelites set up camp on the other.

A giant of a man from the Philistine army came out and challenged the Israelites. He wore bronze armor and carried a long spear. A soldier walking in front of him carried his shield. The Philistine shouted across the valley, “I dare the Israelite army to choose someone to fight me. If he wins, we will be your slaves; but if I win, you will be our slaves.”

When Saul and his men heard Goliath’s challenge, they were terrified!

Is the enemy of God stronger than I am?

Goliath, a giant in the Philistine army, was enormous. Not even the bravest soldier in Saul’s army was willing to take up his challenge—no matter how great the reward.

Unlike Goliath, our enemy cannot be seen. We don’t always know what the devil is planning or what his army is doing. The devil puts his evil plans into the hearts and minds of those who allow him to use them. They then carry out these plans by doing wrong things that ruin people’s lives. When we notice evil in the world, we begin to see how and where the devil is at work.

It is foolish to face the devil in our own strength. By ourselves, he is stronger than we are. But Jesus has already defeated him! And so, when Jesus lives in our hearts, He gives us His power to stand against the devil and overcome evil. Through God’s Spirit in us, we can resist the devil; and when we stand firm using God’s Word, he must back off and run (James 4:7).

Verse for today

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

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