The Battles and the Blessing

If you are like me, you enjoy watching a great war movie. I imagine what it must have been like to be behind enemy lines – fighting to survive, accomplish the mission, and return home to loved ones. Movies may capture the sights and sounds of battle, but when you speak with someone who has experienced war, they often say the reality is far beyond anything a film can portray.

Every believer is enlisted in the Lord’s army. Live the Christian life long enough, and you

become a veteran of spiritual battles. You find that behind the visible challenges of life lies a

deeper spiritual conflict.

Warren Wiersbe writes, “Spiritual warfare is that conflict being waged in the invisible, spiritual realm that is being manifest in the visible, physical realm.”

The enemy continually opposes those who are committed to walking in God’s will. He seeks to discourage, distract, and weaken believers in their pursuit of Christ.

In many ways, the Christian life can be characterized as a journey of battles and blessings. If we aren’t careful, we can become so discouraged by the battles that we lose the strength needed to enjoy the blessings of our salvation.

Psalm 27 speaks directly to this struggle.

David wrote this psalm during one of the greatest battles of his life. He had been anointed as Israel’s future king, yet instead of immediately ascending to the throne, he found himself hiding in caves, running from King Saul, and wondering if he would survive another night.

Psalm 27 gives us a glimpse into what it means to live between the blessing and the battle of our faith. More importantly, it reveals the decisions David made that enabled him to endure hardship and experience victory. Let's explore one of David's decisions today.

David decided to use adversity to draw closer to God.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. – Psalm 27:1–3 1NASB

During David’s years or battling for God’s will, he experienced moments of desperation and

failure.

At one point, David fled to Nob and found temporary shelter with a priest named Ahimelech. Later, he fled to Gath, but it proved to be a terrible decision. Captured by the Philistines, David feared for his life and resorted to pretending insanity in order to escape.

The Bible describes him clawing at doors and letting saliva run down his beard so the king

would think he was mad.

That’s what I call a low point in David’s life.

And Psalm 27 reveals something important happening in David’s heart during that season:

“Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!... Hide not your face from me.” (Psalm 27:7–9)

In Scripture, God “hiding His face” often symbolized broken fellowship because of sin. David

feared he had failed God. Yet instead of running from the Lord in shame, David turned toward Him in humility and repentance.

That decision mattered.

Adversity has a way of exposing the condition of our hearts. Sometimes hardship reveals our

need for deeper surrender, repentance, and dependence upon God.

John Maxwell once said, “I’ve never known anyone who said, ‘I love problems,’ but I’ve known many who admitted that their greatest gains came in the middle of their pain.”

David used adversity to build sanctification into his life, and this principle still works for believers today.

Sometimes our own failures contribute to hardship. Jeremiah 5:25 says: “Your sins have

withheld good from you.”

But even then, God’s mercy invites us back into fellowship. Adversity can become a tool God

uses to deepen holiness, maturity, and dependence upon Him.

Someone today needs to make a critical decision: use adversity to draw closer to God, not

further away from Him.

Psalm 30:4-5 reminds us, “Sing to the LORD, O you saints of His... For His anger lasts only a

moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime.”

God’s discipline may be temporary, but His grace is enduring.

Walking with you!

P Bob

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About Pastor Bob Moya, DMin.

Dr. Bob Moya has served as the lead pastor with his wife Candace at City Chapel in Arlington, Texas for over 25 years. He recently graduated with a doctorate degree in Spiritual Renewal and Leadership in the spring of 2024. When not serving at the church, you'll find Bob enjoying a good read at Barnes & Noble, sipping a nitro cold brew or black coffee from Starbucks, or spending time with his family.