Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 10, 2024

“the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Samuel 17:41-58.  Here is a link to this Scripture – Bible Gateway passage: 1 Samuel 17 – New American Standard Bible 1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.  When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him;  for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.  The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?”  And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.  This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.  And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear;  for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.”

Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead.  And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him;  but there was no sword in David’s hand.  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.  When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.  The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron.  And the slain Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.  The sons of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines and plundered their camps.  Then David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.”  1 Samuel 17:41-54.

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“Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8.

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31.

“Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph;  and he said, “Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:  thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.  Tomorrow go down against them.  Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.  You need not fight in this battle;  station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’  Do not fear or be dismayed;  tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:14-17.

“13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
14 From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.
16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
22 Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:13-22.


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