While You Are in a Battle: Insights

David had come to the battlefield, not on his own accord but because his father had asked him to run an errand. His father wanted him to take some supplies to his brothers, who were on the front line of battle. (Read 1 Samuel 17:17-18)

David also saw first-hand how the Philistine Goliath was making a mockery of Israel. His spirit within him was stirred, and he asked the men around him what the reward was fighting Goliath. The men promptly answered him, saying, “the man who kills him (Goliath) the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:25)

Now Eliab, his oldest brother, heard when he spoke to the men, and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” (1 Samuel 17:27-28)

When Eliab, David’s elder brother, heard David speak to the men, he rebuked him harshly in front of all the men. David could have been easily offended and hurt by what transpired, but he chose not to.

Here in lies an important key:
David refused to get distracted
When you are in a battle, the enemy will always throw distractions at you to keep you from fighting the real battle.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)

Distraction is the no.1 enemy of God’s purposes and plans. When people offend you, hurt you, say things that are not true, we tend to fight them on social media or some other platform in order to defend ourselves. This is nothing but a distraction to keep you from the real thing to which you are called by God.

In the past, David had killed a lion and a bear, and he could easily deal with Eliab, but he turned himself away from fighting with his own brother. Had he fought Eliab, he could have missed his encounter with Goliath. Had David missed his battle with Goliath, he would have never been known in Israel.

Father, in the name of Jesus, help me keep my eyes focused on what you have called me to do. Every power of distraction against me be cut off in the name of Jesus. Amen.