OverwhelmedSample

Dependent

Dependency in the natural realm conjures thoughts of weakness. Dependency in the spiritual realm equals freedom, victory, and life! God does not desire what overwhelms you today to cause you to shrink back; God desires that it causes you to submit to Him, fully dependent.

David knew he had no chance alone against a giant man-of-war. Goliath was bigger, well trained, stronger, and an accomplished warrior. After all, he was called a champion. He was undefeated in battle. He was a master at overwhelming his challenger. Clearly this was the reason why there were no challengers among the Israelites.

David was a shepherd; he tended sheep. He was not a man of war, even though he was a protector of these defenseless animals. David realized he wasn’t an equal match with Goliath, but he did know Who he did have. Remember, David was a worshiper of the Lord. As a shepherd, he developed a close relationship with God. He credits the Lord for protecting him as he defeated the lion and the bear. As a worshiper of the Lord, David even witnessed the distressing spirit leaving Saul as he played his harp for the Lord (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

As he approached Goliath he knew that he had to be dependent on God. You wonder if he thought of the sheep’s dependence on him as a shepherd. David would ward off the predators that sought to overwhelm and kill the sheep. Perhaps in this moment he was thinking about the Lord as his Shepherd. David would never allow any predator to overwhelm his sheep. Likewise, the Lord, His Shepherd would take care of him (Psalm 23). And just like the sheep could not fight or defeat the wolves, the lion, or the bear alone, so David was dependent on His Shepherd to utterly overwhelm this imposter.

Take a look at what David said to this giant who sought to overwhelm all of Israel: “Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword or spear; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). David was dependent on the Lord; he rested in the fact that this battle against the giant was not his, it was the Lord’s. David knew that as he approached this giant, God would fight as long as David was dependent on Him. He was surrendered to his Shepherd.

In the midst of the overwhelming situation that you are experiencing, are you fully dependent on the Lord? Rest in the fact that God wants to fight for you and through you. Your struggle is the Lord’s battle. The Lord requires surrender and obedience, but He never intended you to carry the burden. When you are fully surrendered and dependent on the Lord, God freely works in you and through you. Like David, those around you will see the redeeming love and power of God. Like David, you will slay the giant and experience the victory!