David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
2 Samuel 5:10 NLT
The kingdom is Mine forever. I am Jehovah—the One Who Will Always Be Who I Have Always Been. I am the King of hearts.
I am the Undisputed Ruler of all the kingdoms of your life. I was High King of the universe before time. I am your Eternal King in sovereign control of every dimension—physical, emotional, intellectual. Details do not escape My notice. Nothing—pleasant or painful—gets to you without going by My throne first. I cause or permit everything for My glory and for your good. I hold you together—give Me credit.
The power is Mine forever. I am Elohim—the One whose strength is unrivalled by any power. No force anywhere in the universe equals the dynamic energy of My Spirit. Humans discover traces of divine power in the atom, but no created being is able to create.
Keep in mind that you cannot live life richly, relate well, serve Me, resist temptation, face tomorrow confidently, make correct decisions, or carry out your responsibilities without My power. Independently of Me you can accomplish absolutely nothing. Sooner or later you will learn that striking out on your own leads to failure. I am the Vine and you are one of the branches—nothing is closer. Stay near Me and your life will produce sweet fruit to cheer your despondent world.
Your power depends on connecting to the Ultimate Power Source. In My infused power, you find the secret of surviving every situation. With My reinforcement, you can stand up to Satan’s attacks. Energized by My Holy Spirit, you are ready for anything. You cannot imagine what I can accomplish by My work within you—purpose beyond highest ambition, tranquility beyond dearest wish, joy beyond sincerest prayer, power beyond most desperate need. Take heart.
The glory is Mine forever. I am the Almighty—the One who deserves honor for the success you achieve in making spiritual progress. The only reason you can ever be strong is because I am with you. Fear nothing, with Me on your side. Let nothing overwhelm you, since I overshadow you. Let no enemy ever intimidate you, marching in Christ’s triumphal procession. Live exuberantly, energized by the Infinite One.
Take up residence in Me, the Mighty Fortress, and grow stronger with every heartbeat. Draw closer to Me every passing day, and be steady and strong in all circumstances. Standing tall in life’s storms, do not break your arm patting yourself on the back—bow your head and give thanks.
This was the beginning of a long war between those loyal to Saul and those who were loyal to David.
As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
2 Samuel 3:1 NLT
As long as you breathe in your mortal body, civil war will rage between your sinful and sanctified natures. While a resident in time, you will have to deal with tension between your human and heavenly sides. Beguiling carnality and ideal Christlikeness are locked in interminable combat. Struggling with sin drags on and on, but never surrender to evil. Travel the high road—avoid swampy detours.
Contradicting actions puzzle you. You cannot seem to find a way to accomplish holy goals. It seems an invariable fact that though you strive for perfection, you keep missing the mark. You really love My law, but sin still attracts you with its advertised pleasure. Good intentions sabotaged by sin, you are miserable in addiction’s shadows.
Without Christ’s assistance, sin will always win over sacred aims. You are powerless to defend yourself against hell’s onslaughts. Up against more than you can handle, never try to stand up to temptation by yourself. Always depend on your Savior. Your Commander in Chief is engaged in hand-to-hand combat against Satan in the trenches right beside you. His Presence takes the terror out of the front line.
There is one cure for spiritual schizophrenia, one strategy to win the war against evil habits, one ray of hope in the night of slavery to vice—Jesus Christ. When the fog of war confuses you, claim His power and enjoy freedom and victory! Do not waste time in useless self-reliance and human willpower—rely on My Holy Spirit to break evil chains. Depend on your ingenuity, and you will be overcome by evil in the blink of an eye. Keep in step with Me, and you can nail evil desires to the cross.
First-century Christians held hands and participated in a tripedion—a dance of three steps forward and two steps backward, reminding them of their life of faith. When you step backward, repent. When you step forward, rejoice. Never give up
the dream of Christlikeness. Day by day, by degrees, almost imperceptibly, you are becoming more like Christ—stronger in grace, brighter in understanding.
Stay unflinchingly loyal to the Son of the Most High—one day you will reign with Him when He ascends the throne of His ancestor David. Satan’s regime will weaken into oblivion, his subjects forever tortured. Citizens of Christ’s kingdom will celebrate eternal victory. Until then, hold My hand—I will teach you how to dance for joy.
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.
The Lord said, “Go up” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
2 Samuel 2:1 NIV
Lamenting his earthly friend Jonathan’s death, David looked to his Heavenly Friend to learn what he should do next. In his sadness he conducted a search.
At times your life is like that. Brokenhearted by emotional disaster, you need time to recuperate and get back to normal. I graciously provide the healing time you need—then comes the day when you feel it is time to move on. Your heart says it is time to ask, “What next, Lord?”
Grief is not forever. Hard times come to pass, not to stay. You have Me to thank for the steady
passage of time. I am the Lord of all your days.
My clock is invisible, but it keeps perfect time. I understand your personality better than you know yourself. I know what is best for you—I comprehend when transitions should best occur. You can trust Me at every twist and turn of life’s roller coaster.
I do not answer your inquiries with Urim and Thummim, as I did Israel’s second king. By lights and perfections of My Scripture and Spirit, I direct your life’s course.
Go beyond meditating on My map for the maze—hit the road! Do more than study My business—get to work! I want more than sentimental love letters—I want devotion expressed in every detail of your life.
Whatever your address, I am your Home.
You cannot understand how I speak to your heart, but praise Me that I do. My quiet voice encourages and leads you on your journey through life. The course of time educates you for eternity.
I am King of kings—I am also King of your life. The government of your life rests on My shoulders, not yours. Make your heart My throne—allow Me to rule every dimension of your experience. Give Me credit for blessings you enjoy—sing My praises.
He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, by dreams, sacred lots, or prophet.
1 Samuel 28:6 NLT
Until you do the work of confession, I refuse to do the work of listening. When you are like Saul—egocentric, jealous, mean, rebellious—do not expect Me to march double-time to your desperate battleground. Rebellion ruins our relationship. Ignoring My instructions blocks communication. If you cozy up to sin, I will not pay attention to your pleas.
You will not get what you want until I get what I want—repentance! On guard! Run the other way from evil! Otherwise I will not come to your rescue when you cry out to Me. Piously folding your hands in prayer may impress people, but you will not have My ear and blessing until you abandon evil.
You should confess sin every day because you sin every day. Remember real confession involves listening to My directions for living and quitting wrong actions. Every sin you hesitate to give up becomes a brick in the wall between us. Here is an unwavering principle—iniquity in your behavior and intimacy with Me are incompatible. Leave prayer out of your schedule, and you will live without vitality. Attempt to operate independently of Me, and you will have nothing to show for it.
The opposite is wonderfully true. Nestle near My heart, and you will enjoy the sweetness of answered prayer. Pay attention to how I ask you to live, and I will pay attention to your petitions. Conscientiously focus on obeying Me, and I will
concentrate on caring for your daily needs.
I am ready to answer your prayers when you are ready to get in tune with My will. Spectacular dreams, sacred dice, and ecstatic prophets are no substitute for heartfelt prayer. I lead you by My Word, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your fondest dreams cannot envision what I can do. I do not roll dice with your future—I orchestrate it.
Depend on My Spirit, not daydreams, to find inspiration. Rely on My Providence, not coincidence, to draw the blueprint for your life. Search My timeless wisdom, not modern-day philosophy, to find insight. Habitually relate all dimensions of your life to Me, maintaining an attitude of humble dependency—then I will tell you what you should do.
Depend on Me, and I will strengthen you to fight spiritual battles. You are naturally weak, but I will make you supernaturally strong—able to combat Satan and win. Battling evil is no cake walk—there is no more difficult enterprise. You are not up against a mere human enemy. The world’s wicked ruler and his cohorts of the realm of darkness are bent on extinguishing the light of your good influence.
Don heaven’s armor so you can stand your ground against the strategies of hell. Fasten on the truth belt to encircle you with conviction. Wear body armor of righteousness to protect you from mortal blows. Slip on running shoes of eagerness to tell My story. Carry the faith shield to extinguish flaming arrows of temptation. Wear the helmet of salvation to preoccupy your mind with My lifelong work in your journey to eternity. Brandish the Spirit Sword to cut the dragon to pieces.
Confronting fiendish foes, pray as you go. Keep your eyes open to Satan’s tricks. Maintain communication with your Commander in Chief. Stay tuned to hear My slightest whisper.
You have Me to thank for leading you in a triumphal parade. It may seem evil is winning over good, but I will have the last word and I will win the last war. Good will not be shortchanged.
The sinister Devil, beastly antichrist, and counterfeit prophet will lose forever—tortured around the clock with no possibility of parole. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will have your lasting worship. Jehovah will be your joy.
You get tired along the way, and feel like retreating from the front to a safe haven— that will have to wait for heaven. Fight on under the battle streamer of My Holy Name.
My armor is awkward equipment for an easy chair. Life is different from thinking about life. Climb down from your cozy philosophizing balcony and enter the crucial evangelizing arena. I will teach you to live life to the fullest and love people compassionately.
Soldiering has never been a picnic. Pain precedes paradise. Suffering comes before the victory celebration. On the threshold of this new day, arm yourself with My power and get set for adventure on the high road. Endure pain if necessary. Serve Me bravely, loyally, and joyfully until the battle smoke clears. Fight sin in My strength, and avoid any blot on your shield.
At the end of the day, when the battle is over, kneel for My blessing. I will place a crown of righteousness on your head in the new Jerusalem.
Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.
1 Samuel 23:28 NLT
I am the Omnipotent God—your Strength. All other hiding places you try are papier-mâché. I am the Only Absolutely Trustable Spot in the universe. Psychological defense mechanisms of emotional withdrawal, projection, or rationalization only add to the confusion of your life. Running anywhere else except My heart is a useless exercise.
I am the Omniscient God—your Solace. Be grateful for friends in Christ I send into your life to strengthen your trust in Me. Like Jonathan, they encourage you to stay strong in your faith. True friends do more than enjoy each other’s company; they encourage each other to stay committed to Me. Comforted by sharing deep thoughts and close confidences, you are inspired to go ahead with courage.
No matter how close your friends are to you, there will never be any friend as dear to you as I am. I know everything about you—when you rest, when you rise, when you race; where you are going next; what you are going to think; what you have not yet said, but will. This knowledge is higher than your pay grade!
You cannot hide from Me, but you will never find a safer Hiding Place. Rather than hide from Me, it is the highest wisdom to hide in Me.
I grant perfect peace to everyone who implicitly trusts in Me and consistently thinks about Me. I am Solid Rock in a quicksand world. I have been a Refuge to countless believers through fury and favor, shadows of poverty and sunshine of prosperity.
My purpose for you can never be thwarted. Behind the scenes, I write the lines and direct every act on the stage of life. I am for you, so no force can overpower you. Death is not final. Life is not futile. Worry will not finish you off . Demons cannot frustrate you. Because I love you, we are inseparable!
I am the Omnipresent God—your Support. In deserts of loneliness, I am your Friend. Within caves of concern, I am your Protector. I am the Only Reliable Foundation for your future.
Faulty foundations of wealth, security, success, and fame disintegrate with the passage of time. However, if you build your life on Me, you will never disintegrate.
David heard these comments and was afraid of what King Achish might do to him.
So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.
1 Samuel 21:12, 13 NLT
David’s faith reached a very low ebb. The same man who had toppled a tyrant ran scared. Fearing a fight, he took flight. Overhearing royal servants talking about what to do with him, he panicked and grew dreadfully afraid of the king of Gath. Flooded with cowardice, he pretended to be insane so he would not be harmed! What a sad picture!
I am the Lord of Truth. If you are going to keep from going crazy, you must avoid fabrication. Dishonesty is delirious.
I am the Lord of Triumph. To avoid craziness, resist fear. I have not given you a timid spirit, but a brave heart and a rational mind. Live fearlessly, unintimidated by mortals. Insecurity is insane.
I am the Lord of Tranquility. If you are going to avoid madness, you must not feign. Get real! Counterfeiting is crazy. Bread of My Presence is the food you need to give you presence of mind. Companionship with Christ will calm your inner being.
Corrie ten Boom prayed that I would keep her from going crazy in Ravensbruck. She trusted Me as her Hiding Place whatever happened. You are not locked in a concentration camp, but life can still be difficult. You may feel you are about to lose your mind, but you will not if you keep your mind on Me.
Live truthfully—avoid dishonesty. Be sincere and stay sane.
Live victoriously—avoid debility. Be strong and stay sensible.
Live calmly—avoid duplicity. Be single-minded and stay serene.
Focus all your energies on the beautiful future I have planned for you. Strain to reach the finish line of the Faith Marathon. When you feel like running away, run into your Savior’s arms. You are not an inmate in an insane asylum; you are a guest of divine hospitality. Open the door to My love—quit foaming at the mouth and wash your face in the refreshing water of My Holy Spirit. Let your King’s smile dry your tears. Do not scribble graffiti on the imprisoning walls of the world—treasure wonderful words I have already written on the walls of your heart.
With My help, you can maintain sanity in a crazy world.
Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.
1 Samuel 20:17 NLT
I am the Heart of real friendship. Those who love Me love others who love Me—Jesus’ sheep flock together. People who call Me friend become the best of friends with others sharing the same passion. When two people pledge faithfulness in My Name, they enter into a covenant honoring their Greatest Friend. Entrusting each other into My hands forever, they are two bodies with one soul.
I am the Bond of authentic friendship. Not just for a while, but forever, I reinforce the friendships of people depending on Me. My faithful love encourages trusting hearts in relationship with fellow believers.
I am the Hope of genuine friendship. Though friends may be separated a while, enduring pain of loneliness, their hearts are still joined by love, and their friendship endures because of heaven’s gift of optimism. Celebrate true friendships I give you. Cultivate new friendships with those who reverence Me. Do not let selfishness take over. Be sure you do not become so self-absorbed you do not have time to listen, to help, to share with people in need. Do not get so wrapped up in yourself that you do not want to get involved with fellow human beings in their pain.
I am your Loyal Friend—be loyal to friends I give you. Unless your actions are motivated by love, they are worthless. Eloquent, angelic speech is gibberish if not spoken from the heart. If you could demystify the future and explain the workings of the universe, your lectures would be total nonsense without the heartbeat of love. If you grudgingly closed out your bank account to feed the poor, it would be wasted benevolence.
Real friendship is kind to everyone, realizing everyone you meet is engaged in a tough fight. Authentic friendship endures, never loses faith in Me or My friends, and always hopes for a better day for loved ones.
For heaven’s sake, be friendly toward your spouse and children—love them sacrificially, like Christ loves you. Maintain close friendship with the members of My family—going out of your way to help them.
Live a life of giving, not just getting—walking in the footsteps of the Friend of sinners. Like Him, be a real friend—all heart!
The Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us!
1 Samuel 17:47 NLT
I am the Lord of Victory—the One able to slay giants you face every day. When terrifying monsters march out from Satan’s ranks and shout their aggravating challenge to the army of believers, no one except Almighty God can triumph over them.
Spiritual battles are won by the sword of My Spirit. Military force cannot combat hell. There are no laser-guided bombs, tanks, or machine guns in My arsenal. Only omnipotence adds battle streamers to your victory flag. Conflicts with evil are resolved by My sovereignty. I am for you—no force can defeat you. I am on your side—you cannot lose.
A smooth stone in the hand of a believing adolescent did more than an iron spear in the hand of a blasphemous, battle-hardened giant. Razing Satan’s strongholds takes more than cruise missiles! The world’s methods cannot stop demonic hordes. But implicit faith, persistent prayer, undying hope, sacrificial love, My authoritative Word, and My Invincible Holy Spirit can conquer whatever hell can muster.
Don My invisible armor—encircle yourself with the truth belt to intensify convictions, body armor of right living to prevent mortal blows, the faith shield to extinguish temptation’s arrows, and salvation’s helmet to keep your mind clearly focused on My work. Brandish My Spirit Sword to slay giants trying to intimidate you. Heaven’s battle gear is uncommon and unparalleled—the only way you can win over sin. You have learned by now I rescue you without weapons—someday everyone will know.
I slay giants in your life—lust, jealousy, temper, egocentricity, envy, anxiety, and pride. I slay sexual immorality with unselfish love, garbage thoughts with self-control, idolatry with loyalty, frenzy with patience, envy with kindness, selfishness with contentment, bigotry with generosity, drunkenness on worldly happiness with invulnerable joy, consuming worry with celebrative worship, and conceit with humility.
The ongoing warfare you are engaged in is not against human opponents, but against demonic forces from the dark side. If you fight in supernatural strength, you can take Satan by the scruff of the neck and conquer him.
Be confident of winning—allow nothing to faze you. I am the Victor over Satan, hell, sin, and death. Let Me do the fighting for you—I will be your Giant Slayer.
