Rejoice when we run into problems and trials?  Sounds to difficult to do right? If you are like me we try to avoid problems and trials if possible.  But, if we will look at our life from God’s perspectives, we see problems and trials in a different life. God knows that we will never grow in character unless we go through struggles.

I am studying again about King David. David grew on the battlefield. He grew in stature and strength in battle. IN the battle he gained confidence and most importantly he grew in his walk with the Lord. The best of David came out on the battlefield and the worst came out on the roof top.

Why David was not out leading his army in the Spring as King’s did will always be a question. Kings went to battle in the Spring because the majority of these men were farmers and cattlemen. They needed to protect their land and their boundaries from the enemy. It is in the Spring when you plant your harvest.   The Bible does not say why David checked out from leading and serving his people.  I am taking some liberties here. Was it he was loosing his nerve since he was getting older? Well, that did not matter because all his victories were due to God.  Did he get complacent because of  the power and wealth he was given? Was it because he had seen Bathsheba before on the roof top? People in those days had flat roofs and had gardens on the roof and would bath in the warm weather on the roof. It was Spring , the days were getting warmer and Bathsheba once again would be bathing in the warmth.  Did David know she would be there because he had seen her before? Who knows? We do know it was a pretty package for a poison pill as Pastor Jimmy Evans said. This is how the devil always works. It is beautiful, he entices us with our eyes. our  own desires. The pleasure is always temporary. He only comes to kills, steal and destroy.

I ask you to pick up your Bible and read Psalms 51. This is the prayer that David said after he was confronted with his sin by Nathan the prophet. IF you ever wonder why David was called a man after God’s own heart, this is it. He made  a devastating mistake. This mistake brought more pain in David’s life than any enemy soldier but he got an A +++ on repentance. It is the most beautiful prayer.  David said to God, “Against you and you only have I sinned.” He blamed no one ~ He took responsibility. He OWNED it.  This is why David was a great man. David recovered and ended well. May we learn this lesson that  every great man and woman of God takes responsibility. 

My question to myself and to you is, are we on the battlefield fighting the devil for our destiny or are we on the roof top because of complacency, fear or sin?  Are we walking in to the enemies camp laying our weapons down? As I write this an old song from thirty years ago starts playing in my head. Here are the words …

Are we walking into the enemies camp
Laying our weapons down
Shedding our armor as we go
Leaving it on the ground

We’ve got to be strong in the Power of his Might
Prove to the enemy

We are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory

All around us the war is going on between the wrong and the right
We got choose which side we’re on the darkness or the light

Cause some of the soldiers of the Lord
Just don’t realize that the captain of the army of darkness
Has come to blind their eyes

Are we walking into the enemies camp
Laying our weapons down
Shedding our armor as we go
Leaving it on the ground

We’ve got to be strong in the Power of his Might
Prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory

Can’t you see were in a battle there’s no place to hide
Our shields of faith are full of darts
There shooting from every side
Shake out the darts and run right at them
Remember who your fighting for
And don’t fall asleep because if they catch ya
They’ll tag you prisoner of war

Are we walking into the enemies camp
Laying our weapons down
Shedding our armor as we go
Leaving it on the ground

We’ve got to be strong in the Power of his Might
Prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory

Are we walking into the enemies camp
Laying our weapons down
Shedding our armor as we go
Leaving it on the ground

We’ve got to be strong in the Power of his Might
Prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory

We are the army of the Lord
We’ve won the victory~

We must believe that on the battlefield we cannot loose. We are the army of the Lord. We are destined for victory because of the God that walks before us. Claim it…. We have ALREADY WON THE VICTORY ~We have all made mistakes and we have all visited the roof top. We all have abandoned the battlefield at times. We must look at trials as something to learn from and not run from. When we take that view, we will be able to become more like Christ. I always pray less of me and more of you God. It is not always easy. The growing pains are painful at times. This prayer warrior has been wounded and I have been laid at the enemies feet before for not being prepared  but my God reached down and came to my rescue and saved me. We must always remember to put on the full armor of God daily ~  Romans 5:3 tells us we can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us, they help us learn to endure. Know we are victorious  because our God is faithful ~