Article Display
Email  |  My Account  |  Donate
King David's Men - From Distress to Triumph
Triumph is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. One of the most famous examples is the story of David and Goliath. David killed the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone from his slingshot. David's slingshot should not have brought down a heavily armoured giant, but God guided the stone right between the giant's eyes and he fell.

David then ran toward the giant, took the giant's sword and cut off his head. David then triumphantly held up the head for everybody to see. With the help of God, David had triumphed over Goliath (1 Sam. 17:1-58).

God enabled David to triumph over his enemy. David's triumphant display of the giant's head was a symbol of our triumph over the devil. Jesus has defeated the giant devil. We are no longer to be afraid of the devil. He has been defeated. Jesus chopped off his head.

We need to learn what triumph really means and apply it to our daily lives. Our triumph in Christ means the devil cannot limit us anymore.

Distressed, Discontented and in Debt
We can learn more about triumph by looking into the life of David and his men. When David defeated Goliath, his victory gave him great favor with the Israelites. He received the King's daughter for his wife and he was given a good job working for the king.

But David's struggles were not over. The King became jealous of David's success and he decided to kill David. King Saul's threats caused David to leave and run for his life. David ended up in a cave in the wilderness.

The following passage of Scripture tells what happened next:
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when h is brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
(1 Sam. 22:1-2)
Try to imagine this picture. David is hiding in a cave. King Saul and his army are chasing him and trying to kill him. David cries out to God to help him, and whom does God send to him?

People who are worse off than he is - people in debt, people in distress and people that are discontented. All the people who were in counseling and therapy went to where David was, but that was not he worst of it. He became a captain over them.

God gave David men who were distressed, discontented and in debt. These men may have looked like failures, but God had great plans for them. David did not stay in trouble and neither did these men.

David was a man after God's own heart. David loved God. David also had great faith. All you have to do is read the many Psalms David wrote to see how much he trusted and loved God. God had a plan for David and these 400 men.

God took the faithfulness of David and eventually made him King instead of King Saul. When you look to God for your help, no matter how bad your situation becomes, God has a better plan for your life.

Transformed into Mighty Men
Look at what the Bible has to say about David's men after David became the King of Israel.
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lifted up his spear against eight hundred whom he slew at one time.

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defiled the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone way: He arose, and smote the Philistines until is hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
(2 Sam. 23:8-12)
What a great transformation! In a few years time, David's men went from being discontented, depressed, distressed and indebted to being honored as might men.

They overcame the limits of their circumstances and became triumphant and honored men in the service of King David. This passage of the Bible depicts David's men not as weak men with limiting problems but as mighty men.

God helped David establish the nation of Israel as a powerful kingdom. David established the kingdom and left his son, Solomon, a vast fortune. David ushered in an era that could be called "Israel's Golden Age." David, with God's help, was able to triumph over his enemies and establish a great kingdom which gave glory to God.

Removing Some Limits Takes Time
David's success did not come all at once. David struggled for years before he triumphed over all his enemies. He killed Goliath while he was a teenager, but it was not until he was thirty years old that he became King over all of Israel (2 Sam. 5:4).

It may take years before you triumph over some limits in your life. Patience and continued diligence is important in the process of removing limits and overcoming obstacles. It is good to remember that many changes do not occur overnight. Many changes occur over a period of time.

David loved God tremendously. It was David's love for God that sustained him during his struggles. David is a good example for us to follow. It you continue to be faithful and love God, you will eventually see the limits in your lives removed.

Loving God and continuing to serve God faithfully will eventually cause to you triumph over your limits.

Source: No More Limits by Happy Caldwell
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

Author Biography

Happy Caldwell
Web site: Agape Church
 
Happy Caldwell is the founder and Pastor of Agape Church, a strong, Spirit-filled body of believers in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is Founder and President of the Victory Television Network, which operates two full-power Christian television stations in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is also President of the International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM) located in Little Rock Arkansas.
Read more...

About Us

The online ministry of cfaith has been helping people discover faith, friends and freedom in the Word since 2000. Cfaith provides a unique and comprehensive collection of faith-building resources for the worldwide faith community.

At cfaith, you can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the Word of God by digging into the vast collection of teaching articles, streaming audio and video messages, and daily devotionals. No other website offers such a unique and extensive collection of spiritual-growth resources aimed at helping you grow in your knowledge of the Word.

Read More...

 

 

Support Us

Why support cfaith?


(All contributions are 100% tax deductible)


SUPPORT CFAITH WITH ONE CLICK!

For every Internet search you make using
goodsearch, cfaith will receive one penny!

GS Logo 250x38

Contact Us

Business Hours:


Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—5 p.m. CST
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone:

(763) 488-7800 or (800) 748-8107

Mailing Address: 

CFAITH.com
9201 75th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

 

Login Form

Please ignore the “Secret Key” field; it is not needed to log in to cfaith.

Login Change Article

Spring360x442
You need to enable user registration from User Manager/Options in the backend of Joomla before this module will activate.