“David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him. When Saul recognized this, he became even more afraid of them. (NLT)”
1 Sam. 18:14-15
Discussion
When we read through the bible, we see a particular trademark of success on everyone who God's presence was with. From Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to Joseph, Nehemiah, Daniel and Paul. All succeeded in their divine assignments because God was with them. These men worked hard and prayed hard but their success was attributed to the presence of God, or what Paul called the grace of God; 1Cor.15.10; "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." David was recruited into King Saul's work force and although King Saul saw him as an enemy and plotted to kill him, David succeeded in everything he did and this made his enemy even more afraid of him. There is a lesson here for our generation who have been taught to pay too much attention to their enemies. From the prayers we pray these days, it seems as though everyone in our family, offices, neighbourhood, and even church are our enemies. This is breeding a community of suspicious anti-brethren. Everyone suspecting everybody of planning to harm somebody. What kind of evil is this?
There are two notable things that happen when God's presence is with you: (1) You will continue to succeed in everything you do. (2) Your enemies will recognize that God's presence is with you and will become more afraid of you.
Hallelujah! Where is the place for fear and panic here? No place at all. A child of God is far superior to all enemies. Stop being afraid that they can hurt you, or stop you from succeeding. If they couldn't stop Joseph or Daniel, how can they stop you? Don't you see that the presence of God is even more with you than it was with Moses and all the patriarchs? No more fears! No more panicking! No more looking for prayers here and there! You're not one looking for deliverance; you are the delivered one (Col 1:13). You're not the one looking for God's presence, He dwells in you already (1John 4:4). You are not the one looking for victory; you're the one victorious already (2Corinth 2:14). You're not the one trying to conquer; you are more than a conqueror already (Rom 8:37). Instead of focusing on the enemies, do like these fathers of old; focus on God's presence. Be conscious of His presence everywhere you go and in everything you do. Have faith in His presence with you than in the enemies against you. Success is yours in Jesus name! Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
Rom. 8:37 — Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.