“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” 1 John 5:4
I remember being at a Change of Command Ceremony as a young Marine when I really understood for the first time what battle streamers represented. I had noticed these brightly, multi-colored, ribbons hanging down from the Marine Corps flag before, but it wasn’t until that ceremony, when it was announced what each one stood for, that I got it. Each streamer represented previous battles and wars that the Marines had fought in victoriously throughout their history.
In 1 Samuel Chapter 21, David finds himself on the run, a place he never intended to be. How could this young man, whom just a few chapters earlier demonstrated such bravery and valor by standing up to Goliath, now be running for his very life? King Saul’s jealousy was at a fever pitch, and David knew if he didn’t escape Saul, he would surely die.
The confusion must have been overwhelming for David. He had done nothing to deserve this. He had stepped up to help out his people in one of their greatest times of need by defeating Goliath and now this is the thanks he was getting. David had demonstrated that his heart was in the right place, and he wasn’t trying to up-stage Saul. He just wanted to stand up for what was right and it was costing him big time.
Hungry and with no food in sight the priest at Nod gave him the sacred bread to eat, “The Sacred Bread of Presence.” This was no coincidence. God was with him and was demonstrating to David that He was more concerned about David and his needs, than He was the Law and religious protocol and custom. And now, David asked the Priest in verse eight, “Do you have a spear or sword?” David had left in such haste while fleeing from Saul that he didn’t even bring his sword with him.
The priest replied by saying, “I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine whom you killed in the valley of Elah.”
“There is nothing like it!” David replied. “Give it to me!”
There is nothing like it when you’re in the middle of a new challenge in your life, and God reminds you of your past victories. In fact, when David went out to slay Goliath, he reminded himself of the time he had killed the lion and the bear in defense of his sheep. This time, in the most lowly of places, God reminds David of his victory over Goliath.
It’s interesting how each trial brings us to a new place of dependence on Him and it takes having faith all over again to get us through. God wants us to remember, that just as we have been victorious before, so shall we be again. Looking back at that past victory, you can remember what it was like to put all your faith in God and what it felt like when you came out victorious. From remembering, you draw strength, encouragement and renewed faith. For the God who lead you to victory then, is the same God that will lead you to victory today.
We can also draw strength from remembering the victory Jesus won for us on the cross. Through that victory, He conquered death, hell and the grave so that we could enjoy the benefits of Sozo Salvation.
So today, remember those past victories that God brought you through and know that as you were victorious then, so will you be again.
Today’s Thought: We can have faith for victory today by remembering our victories of yesterday.