of heart to hold. The arm of flesh will always fail. 7. David did not depend upon men’s devices regardless of how good or necessary they appeared to be. Nor must our trust be placed in any ritual, ceremony, outline, pro gram, equipment, or organization for Christian victory. 8. David did not falter in the face of the mad threats of the enemy. Herein lies a source of failure in the lives of many. We make every preparation for the battle — we pray and study the Word of God in the full assurance that we are going to face the enemy, only to turn aside when we are challenged and to journey down the path of least resistance. 9. David did not stop short of complete victory. Just to see Goliath flat on the ground was not sufficient. He was not satisfied until the head of the enemy was in his hands. We must not allow partial victory to satisfy us. This is a case in which that which is good becomes the enemy of that which is the best. A Strong Offense And now let’s look at the positive steps in this God- given pattern for victory. 1. David’s conflict fell in the direct line of duty. Let us make sure that our battles are directly the results of our obedience to the known will of God. Then we are free to look to God for victory. 2. David had tasted of lesser victories. We can hardly expect to run with the horsemen if we grow weary of walking with the footmen. How can we expect to be vic torious in the larger battles of life if we are not experi encing victory in the lesser struggles. Victory is a step by step experience. It goes on from strength to strength and from glory to glory. 3. David used the weapon with which he was best acquainted. In the lives of some, prayer is the weapon most effective in their experience. In the lives of others, it is the Word or perhaps it is confession, worship or wit nessing. We are not, however, to be concerned about the thing which seems to be the most effective in another life. We are to find that thing or those things which God makes effective in our own lives. Victory is not something that can be copied or mimicked — it cannot be borrowed. 4. David’s motive for victory was a victorious one. There must be no room for self ambition in our search for Christian victory. Nothing will suffice short of a hum ble desire to glorify God. He must have the pre-eminence in our motives. 5. David believed God. There is nothing in this whole exploit that stands out so clearly as David’s persistent confidence that the Lord would deliver the giant into his hands. In David’s eyes, Goliath was a defeated foe, even while he was boasting that he would give David’s flesh to the birds of the air. David’s faith had won the victory before the stone ever left the sling. So it must be in our lives. There can be no substitute for faith. Faith that believes the battle is won before it begins is the faith that overcomes the world. This is not faith in faith —this is faith in God. Christian victory is not something that has been re served for a few saints to enjoy. On the contrary, it is the norm of Christian experience. It is simply the present tense aspect of our “ so great salvation.” It is the inevitable outworking of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives. If, therefore, we walk in the Spirit, and by the spirit mortify the deeds of the flesh, we will through the Spirit of God be “more than conquerors.” “ Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (This is the fourth in a series that may be obtained in an attractive booklet entitled “ The Giant in Your Life,” at 50c per copy from the Biola Book room or from Don Hillis, P.O. Box 45, Los Angeles 53, California.)
fail no matter how expert or practiced it is. Except the Lord be with us we fight in vain. However, no weapon has been invented that will be effective against us if we go in His might. A practiced and perfected obedience to the known will of God plus a humble and consistent dependence upon Him will fit us for those crisis battles of life in which we will emerge victorious. “Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory.” A Good Defense 1. David did not look for a fight. His conflict fell in the line of duty. Let us beware lest our struggles prove to be the result of the fact that we carelessly throw ourselves into the face of temptation. The man who deliberately disobeys the known principles of purity and separation from evil or from that which would tempt toward evil can hardly expect to experience Christian victory. 2. David did not give way in the face of the opposition of his family. Our desire for a holy and sanctified Chris tian life will be opposed by many, perhaps even by those of our own flesh and blood. It is possible that wife, hus band, or even the pastor may deliberately or inadvertently thwart our purposes. We dare not allow these things to stand in our way. n m LIFE 3. David did not accept royal advice. There is indeed real value in the counsel of others. Nevertheless it is sheer folly to listen to the advice of unregenerate lips in relation to Christian victory even though that counsel should come from royalty. The psychologist only has the answer to your spiritual problems insofar as he relates you to Christ and to His Word. 4. David did not obey the dictates of human reason. Nor must we allow our highest thinking or our very best plans to dissuade us from entering into the way of victory which God has outlined for us. 5. David did not put his own safety above obedience to God. That victory which costs nothing is worth nothing. Any attempt to avoid the conflict regardless of how pious the reason may be is but to add defeat unto defeat. The grain of wheat which is protected from the dark, damp soil abides alone. 6. David did not measure himself nor compare himself by either his friends or his enemies. Had he listened to his friends he would never have entered the conflict. Had he measured himself by his enemies, he would have run in fear. Measuring ourselves by ourselves and comparing ourselves amongst ourselves is not wise, says the Word of God. When we compare ourselves with those who are victorious, we become discouraged. When we compare ourselves with those who are defeated, we become self- satisfied. “ Looking Unto Jesus,” is the only safe attitude Part IV Victorious Living is for You
23
AUGUST, 1959
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker