Coming Prepared for a Fight
Giants won’t stay in the valley. They intend to go far beyond their threats and use their intimidation and bulk to conquer. Goliath had not come all the way from 
Philistia to intimidate a few Hebrews. He was of a mind to march right through the middle of Saul’s army, right through Jesse’s farm and straight into Jerusalem. He came prepared for a fight. Israel had only confronted the giant and didn’t seem to even have a plan for contradicting him. The best time to deal with giants is while they are still in the valley. There must be plans, commitment and action. 1Sam.14:6, Amp — “Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on now, let’s go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe God will work for us. There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it.”
Don’t Agree With the Enemy
A farmer we know had a new Doberman puppy. One morning the puppy was in the barn with the horse. The farmer’s wife heard the horse stomping around and then heard a desperate yelp from the puppy! She ran into the barn and found the tiny puppy limp and lifeless. She could see no wound, but the small pet lay in the puddle of released bowels she knew to be a sign of sudden death. She rushed the unresponsive puppy to the vet. The vet took one look at the dog and said, “The dog is dead. There is nothing I can do.”
When the farmer returned, his wife broke the news that his new puppy was on the back porch dead. The farmer knelt beside the stiff little body and studied the once shiny eyes now glazed in a dead stare. He called her name, “Princess.” He watched the motionless pup intently. Moments later, she moved her tail slightly. He called her name again, “Princess,” and began to stroke her. The tiny tail broke into a full swing, lifting her rear off the ground into a full wag! When he called her name, she suddenly agreed with her identity and purpose and future instead of what might have been. We will never know if the horse actually kicked her or just came close. Either way, the dog who thought she was dead overcame the trauma of the giant in the barn and lived to fulfill her purpose, becoming the best watch dog the farmer ever had.
Sometimes all our enemy has to do is show up. We give up because of OPPOSITION. Sometimes all he has to do is be taller. We give up because of INTIMIDATION. Sometimes all he has to do is cast a shadow over us. We give up because of DOUBTS. Sometimes all he has to do is be louder than hope. We give up because of IMPOSSIBILITIES. Sometimes all he has to do is out last us. We give up because of LACK of PERSEVERANCE. Sometimes all our enemy has to do is scare us with what might have been. If in shock we AGREE, he is successful. It is not what the enemy takes, it is what we give over! Some things were given over in past generations, but we can even take those things back through agreeing with our Redeemer!
—Kathy Gabler
Respond To The Intimidation
The spirits that Goliath, Athaliah and Michal characterize are still operating in these days. The point of difficulty we reach in dealing with these spirits is that they employ likely human personalities to most effectively intimidate those pressing forward in change. Individuals and church groups will both face the sting of these characters as we come closer to realizing our destiny. It is the human voice that is intimidating pastors and leaders into digressing from what they joyously began walking in just a few short years ago. The threat of financial loss and the loss of membership are strong factors of intimidation and discouragement that the enemy is using. We must face these facts, identify the facts and scripturally respond to the intimidation.
(This is the fourth excerpt from Marty’s article “Giants, Athaliah and Michal“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Previous excerpts may be read by scrolling down this page.)
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