Be Prepared For The Fight - 2 Samuel 5-9

2 Samuel 5:17-21 (ESV)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

In the above passage, David shows us how to fight for the Lord:

1. He is aware of those who wish him harm.  We have way too many Christians in this life who oblivious to the fact that we are under attack.   We would be wise to learn from David (above) and listen to Peter (below)
• 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. He took care to find a stronghold.    This is so important in our walk with Christ. We need to know where our strongholds are to be protected from the enemy.   Try these to passages to strengthen and find the strongholds you need:
• Ephesians 6:10-14 (ESV) - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
• 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (ESV)-For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
3. He sought council from God as to what to do.  He used discernment that the Spirit gives to know the entire council of what God would have him do:
• Romans 12:2 (ESV)-Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV) - And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

If we want to have victory over the world we have to prepare ourselves for the fight and ask God to give us guidance and power in that fight.