Scripture
1 Chronicles 14: 11“So David and his troops went to Baal-perazim, and defeated the Philistines there. “God has done it” David exclaimed. He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood. So that place was named Baal-perazim (which means “The Lord burst through”).
Observation
Many times in the Old Testament God uses incidents to reveal his nature. Here David has just been selected as King of Israel. His greatest enemy hears and they come to attack David. The Philistines gather their army for war. David prays and asks God if he should fight the Philistines. God says yes and then gives David a great victory. During this war, God reveals his name to David. "The Lord burst through." God had empowered David’s army to burst through the Philistines and win victory. Through this battle David grew to know God is a deeper way. God bursts through His enemies.
Application
1) Many times I come to know God through the battles. It was in a war with his greatest enemy that God revealed himself to David. We don’t like difficult times. I tend to run from battles but it is in the battle that I learn who God is.
2) That battles often come right after a personal high. David had been running from Saul for years. Now the battle was over and David has been selected as king. This was a huge moment for David. It was a great personal accomplishment. Right after this high, the Philistines come to fight. Right after a great victory is often when the Devil comes to destroy us. We tend to let our guard down after victories. We relax and are not on watch. One of the devil’s strategies is to attack right after we experience personal accomplishments.
3) The Lord bursts through. I may feel that all the odds are against me. My perception is that I am outnumbered and there is no way I can win this battle but that is when the Lord bursts through. He defeats my enemies and gives me victory.
Prayer
Father, I praise you as the God who bursts through. You are able to defeat the strongest enemy. Even when I am outnumbered and am the underdog, you can give victory. You burst through the enemies lines and give me success. Thanks you. I place my trust in you.
