Be Like David Who Overcame

 

Be Like David Who Overcame

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
— 1 Samuel 17:45

Author: Park Ok-soo (Pastor, Good News Gangnam Church)

In life, everyone encounters problems. Some problems we can solve by ourselves, but once we meet those that are difficult or impossible to handle, our hearts often become filled with worry, even fear. However, when God is with us at such moments, then it is no longer a problem. Facing difficulties alone feels extremely hard, but when we walk with the God who can overcome all things, the situation becomes entirely different. Then we can think in our hearts: “If God gives me grace and helps me, it will be completely fine.” Though we cannot see God with our physical eyes, he is always living among us and working.

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I Come Against You in the Name of God

In 1 Samuel 17, a battle broke out between the Philistines and the Israelites. A giant named Goliath—over three meters tall—appeared and challenged Israel:
“Choose a man from among you. If he kills me, we will be your servants; but if I kill him, you will be our servants.”

Saul and the Israelite soldiers were terrified. But David stepped forward, expressing his desire to fight Goliath. Saul tried to stop him because David was just a youth, but David confidently said:

“Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb, I went after it, struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. When it arose against me, I caught it by its beard and struck and killed it.
Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine, who has defied the armies of the living God, shall be like one of them.”

Having no other choice, Saul allowed David to face Goliath. David took his staff, a sling, and a few smooth stones, and approached Goliath. Seeing David, Goliath despised and cursed him:
“I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”

David replied:
“You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

Then David ran quickly toward Goliath, reached into his bag for a stone, and slung it. The stone struck the Philistine on the forehead, and Goliath fell face down to the ground. Seeing this, the Philistines fled, and the Israelites pursued them and won a great victory.

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When We Pray, God Begins to Work

Many people suffer when they face situations that cannot be solved by their own thoughts. But those who are saved clearly understand:
“I cannot, but God can.”
When we reach the point where we are powerless, we come before God, and when God works, things are accomplished in an amazing way.

Sometimes I visit brothers and sisters in the hospital. I myself do not have the power to heal them, but Jesus who is with me has the power to heal, and God hears the prayers I offer while living for the gospel. I have witnessed people on the brink of death being restored.

Who can say that they have no problems or trials in life? The important thing is solving the problem and overcoming the trial. When I was blocked on all sides and cried out to God, I experienced many times how perfectly God resolved the situation. Although there were moments when I thought, “This is the end of my life,” God’s protection and help filled me with gratitude.

The God who was with David is also with us who are saved. When we pray in faith, God listens. For unbelievers, reaching the limit of their ability means having no way out; but for us, when our ability reaches its end, that is when we connect with God’s ability.

Each time we rely on God and God solves what seems impossible—once, twice, three times—our faith grows. Do not pray only in form, but open your heart and speak honestly to God:
“This is how I truly feel.”
“This problem is too difficult for me; please help me.”

At first, we may not know whether God helped or not, but soon we will see that God accomplished what was impossible for us. When we realize, “This was truly done by God!” gratitude arises, and we desire to live for him.

Those who have not yet experienced God’s help may only live a formal religious life. But once they experience God working, they truly become people who believe in God. I do not believe in God merely because I am a pastor. In my life, I have faced many difficulties and have told God about them. Every time, God’s work amazed me and filled me with thankfulness.

Whenever difficulties come, let us pray to God; and after God works, may we testify:
“This thing that was impossible for me—God accomplished it by his grace.”
Let all glory be to God.

像得胜的大卫一样

 

“你来攻击我，是靠着刀枪和铜戟；我来攻击你，是靠着万军之耶和华的名，就是你所怒骂带领以色列军队的神。”（撒上17：45）

 

作者：朴玉洙（好消息江南教会 牧师）

 

在生活里，每个人都会遭遇问题。有些问题，我们自己就能解决，可一旦遇到棘手难以解决的问题，内心往往就会充满担忧，乃至陷入恐慌之中。不过，在这种时候，若有神的同在，那就不再是问题了。独自面对问题时会觉得无比艰难，但当与能够战胜问题的神同行，情况就会截然不同。此时，我们心里会想：“如果神赐予我恩典，帮助我，那就完全没问题了。”神虽然无法用我们的肉眼看到，但他始终在我们中间活着，并且正在做工。

 

我凭神的名来迎战你

看一下《撒母耳记上》17章，非利士人和以色列之间爆发了一场战争。当时身高三米多的巨人歌利亚出现了，他向以色列军队叫阵：“从你们中间拣选一人，他若将我杀死，我们就作你们的仆人，我若将他杀死，你们就作我们的仆人，侍奉我们。”扫罗王和以色列士兵都十分惊恐。而大卫却挺身而出，表示要去跟歌利亚作战。扫罗见大卫还是个少年，就阻止他，可大卫明确地说：

“你仆人为父亲放羊，有时来了狮子和熊，从羊群中衔一只羊羔去，我就追赶它，击打它，将羊羔从它口中救出来。他起来要害我，我就揪着它的胡子，将它打死。你仆人曾打死狮子和熊，这未受割礼的非利士人向永生神的军队骂阵，也必像狮子和熊一般！”

扫罗无计可施，只好同意让大卫去与歌利亚作战。大卫手里拿着杖、一根甩石的机弦、几块光滑的石子就向歌利亚走去。歌利亚看到大卫，就轻视他、咒骂他：“我要把你的肉喂给空中的飞鸟和地上的野兽。”大卫回应道：“你来攻击我，是靠着刀枪和铜戟；我来攻击你，是靠着万军之耶和华的名，就是你所怒骂带领以色列军派的军的神。”说着，大卫迅速朝歌利亚跑去，他伸手从口袋里掏出一块石子，用甩石的机弦甩出去，击中了非利士人的额头，歌利亚便应声倒地。非利士人看到这情形，马上就逃跑了，以色列人则上前追赶，取得了大胜。

 

我们向神祷告后神就开始做工

有些事情，如果按照自己的想法处理不了，大部分人就会为此痛苦烦恼。然而得救的人深知：“我是不行，但是神有能力做到。”当自己无能为力时，就会来到神面前。当神做工的时候，事情就会神奇地办成了。我有时候会去医院探望患病的弟兄姊妹。虽然我自身没有能力医治他们，但是与我同在的耶稣有能力医治他们，而且神会垂听为福音生活的我所做的祷告。所以，我曾目睹濒临死亡的病人痊愈。

有谁能说自己的人生中没有问题，没有试炼呢？重要的是要解决问题，战胜试炼。当我前后受阻、陷入绝境的时候向神祷告，就多次经历到神非常完美地解决了问题。虽然有时候我会觉得“我的人生到此为止了”，但是神的保守和帮助却让我满心感激。

与大卫同在的神，也同样与我们这些得救的人同在。当我们依靠信心祷告时，神就会垂听。对于世人而言，当自己的能力耗尽的时候就会走投无路，可是对于得救的我们来说，当自己的能力到达极限的时候，就能与神的能力相连。每当我们依靠神，一次、两次、三次地解决看似不可能解决的问题时，我们的信心就能不断成长。不要只是形式地祷告，而是要敞开心扉，向神表白心声，比如说“我的心就是这样想的”“这个问题太难了，请帮帮我吧”。刚开始的时候，可能分不清神到底有没有帮忙，但不久之后，就能感受到神帮我们成就了原本不可能做成之事。“这真的是神成就的！”有了这样的感悟，就会产生感恩之心，想要为神而活。

那些还没有经历神帮助的人，可能只是在形式上过着信仰生活，但如果经历过神的帮助之后，就能真正成为相信神的人。我并非是因为自己是牧师才相信神的。在生活中，我也遇到过许多困难，我也曾向神倾诉这些难题。每当这个时候，神的做工都让我惊叹不已，我满心感恩。每当困难来临的时候我们都向神祷告，神做工之后，希望我们都能做出见证：“这原本不可能做到的事情，是借着神的恩典做成的。”把荣耀都归给神。