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This week in our study, we’re looking at 1 Samuel 17, and I love the boldness of David’s words in verse 47:

“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have anyone chasing me down with a literal sword or spear. Even so, this verse speaks right into our daily battles. The battles still happen, but the weapons look different. Some days, we don’t even realize we’re under attack until we’re completely drained, and our joy is depleted. The enemy uses lies to deceive us, temptation to lure us, condemnation to intimidate us, and fear to keep us from walking in faith. He’ll do his best to defeat us, but the bottom line is—he’s no match for the power of God. The enemy may try to shake you, but he can’t steal what God has secured.

The question is, do you really believe that? Do you have more faith in your problem or in God’s ability to change it?

Let’s talk about perception—David’s and ours.

David saw the same giant everyone else did, but he viewed him through the lens of God’s power rather than his own weakness. While the rest of Israel trembled at the sight of Goliath, David saw an opportunity for God’s strength to be revealed. His confidence wasn’t in his slingshot skills; it was in the God who had proven Himself faithful time and time again.

And that’s where joy comes in. Because joy isn’t about having an easy life—it’s about knowing who’s in control. If we measure joy by easy our life is, we’ll always come up short. But when we fix our eyes on the One who fights for us, we can walk into any battle with courage, knowing the victory belongs to the Lord.

James 1:2-3 puts it this way: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Now, I’ll be honest. Joy is not always my first response to trials. I don’t wake up to bad news and immediately throw a praise party. But when I stop and remember who my God is—when I remind myself that He is always working, always faithful—that’s when joy starts to rise up.

David stood before Goliath with boldness because he knew his God. He had already seen Him at work, delivering him from lions and bears, and he trusted Him to be faithful again. That kind of trust produces joy—the deep, unshakable assurance that no matter what stands before us, God is bigger.

So let me ask you—what giants are trying to steal your joy? What situations feel overwhelming? And how can you shift your perspective to see them the way David did—with faith in the God who saves? 

Let’s hold on to joy, not because life is perfect, but because our God is faithful.

This Week’s Printable

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