Defeating Raphas

Wednesday, June 24

2 Samuel 21:20-22 (NIV)

“In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.”

Devotion

The reference in 2 Samuel, "in still another battle," reminds us that with every battle we face and conquer, we must always be ready for the next one. The giants can manifest as an illness, a loss, a breakup, a disappointment, or a financial challenge.

Take a moment to consider: How do we face our battles? Are we with Christ? Are we aligned in our faith?

Preparation is necessary for a successful outcome. When we face our battles, we must stand firm in our faith and remain aligned with Jesus Christ to defeat the Rapha's (giants) in our lives.

We are also reminded that taunting a believer is not just a game; it's a call to battle. The enemy taunts us daily, whether through situations we face or through the flesh fighting against our spirit, trying to convince us that we start from a place of defeat. Yet all those lies will not stand against the victory we have in Christ Jesus.

Choose not to be intimidated, and stand "in still another battle." In Isaiah 54, we are reminded that we are the heritage of the Lord, and the God who dwells in us is the very same God who defeated the Raphas in 2 Samuel. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.

God has given us a sound mind to walk by faith, and in still another battle, we will have the victory because He is in us—the One who defeated the giants. We come in the name of Jesus Christ to face our giants.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for giving us the power, for greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Thank You for lifting us up in those places where You receive all the glory. We praise You, Father, and turn our giants over to You. Take it all. Help us to leave it at the altar and align ourselves with the Truth, the Name above all names, and bring two or three to fight our battles with Your Word, praise, and prayer. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Meditate this week on your victory and what it looks like. We need a change of vision. The victory "through Christ Jesus" must become more real than the problem. "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ ... that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them proof of perdition (destruction), but to you of salvation, and that from God." Philippians 1:27–28

Resources

• Don’t let the giants in your life define your story. Watch this powerful message, "How To Slay Giants", and be reminded that victory is already possible through faith, courage, and God's power working in you.

• Read Ephesians 6:13 and let it encourage you to stand firm and not be shaken, no matter how many giants rise in your journey.