WAYS THE ENEMIES INTIMIDATE US: Devotion for Friday August 12, 2016

WAYS THE ENEMIES INTIMIDATE US: Devotion for Friday August 12, 2016

1 Samuel 17:1 – 11

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:10 - And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

I once read a story of a young Christian in the United States of American army who was always preaching the word of God to fellow soldiers. He never hid his faith in Christ Jesus. This did not go down with his captain who always challenges him that there is no God. One day, this captain wanting to make mockery of this young Christian and his faith, gave him key to a car without engine and asked him to go and start the car to prove that there is God. Initially, he protested that he can’t drive. Unknown to the young man that there was no engine, he prayed fixed the key into the ignition and started the car. From that day, the captain came to acknowledge that indeed there is God.

The Philistines used their giant Goliath as a tool to intimidate the Israelis. Not only did he intimidate the people, he also defied the God of Israel. This was insult on the God we serve. Unfortunately, none of the Israeli soldiers dared to stand his challenge. But thank God for David, though not enlisted in the Israeli’s army because of his age, rebuked him and killed him in disgraceful way.

There are many ways the enemies intimidate us; by instilling fear into us, making mockery of us, demanding that we do some things that are beyond reasoning, by proclaiming sanctions and fines against us, etc. We have a clear example in Daniel 3:8–12 and 6:4, 5. These young Jews held on to their faith in God and He honoured them. He didn’t allow their faith to fail them. He acted promptly. If not their persistence and resilience, who would have known that a man would be thrown into the fire and they fire will not burn the person? Are you being intimidated in your school, office, neighbourhood, home, etc, because of your faith? Never mind their intimidation. Hold on to God and do not give up. He did not disappoint Daniel and his compatriots and He will not disappoint you. 

Food for Thought: Intimidation is devil’s weapon to weaken our faith but those that know their God are never move by these antics. 

Prayer: My Father in heaven, make my faith stronger amidst all forms of intimidations of the enemies in Jesus name.