Living in a fallen world, it’s just a matter of time before we face a challenge. Even if we’re doing our best to live holy, challenges will come. That’s exactly what happened to David when Goliath—like Andrew might say—”double-dog dared” him.
You know the story: Boy accepts challenge to fight a giant. (This is timeless stuff here.) Goliath yells at young David, “Come over here and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals” (1 Sam. 17:44, The Living Bible).
What would you do if someone or something challenged you like that? What if a cancer, a big financial crisis, or an anxiety attack “double-dog dared” you?
David’s reaction to this challenge placed him in the faith hall of fame (Heb. 11). He didn’t buck the challenge; instead, he accepted it and yelled back at his enemy:
Today [not tomorrow] the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head; and then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!
1 Samuel 17:46, The Living Bible, brackets added
What gave David such boldness? He looked at what he already had: a sling, five stones, a shepherd’s bag . . . and a covenant with the God of Israel. He knew that covenant alone was enough to give him the victory.
In his book You’ve Already Got It!, Andrew explains how in Christ we have everything we will ever need to face any threat from the Enemy. He says:
“There’s still a fight. But the fight is to stand in the victory that God has already purchased for you—not to go out and win one. There’s a big difference! . . . You need to believe that you’re already blessed. (Eph. 1:3.) God has already given you healing, wisdom, revelation, prosperity, joy, peace—everything that you’ll ever need! . . . You are—right now in your spirit—identical to Jesus. (1 John 4:17; 1 Cor. 6:17.) The same power that raised Christ from the dead now lives inside of you. (Eph. 1:19, 20.) It’s infinitely easier to release something you know and believe you already have than it is to try and go get something you don’t.” (pp. 14-16)
Maybe you already know these truths. But if you feel stuck in some area of your life, it could be that you have heard the threats of the Enemy for so long that you are running and not standing. If that’s the case, stop! Don’t let the threats intimidate you any longer. Reach into your shepherd’s bag and recognize what you already have. You have a covenant with Almighty God (Lev. 26:9), you have the spirit of Christ in you (1 John 4:17), you have the Word of God (Eph. 6:17), and you have seed to sow (Eccl. 11:6).
Don’t be discouraged. Turn back the double-dog dare on your Enemy and yell at him. Say, “Today—not tomorrow—the Lord will conquer you. I will destroy you. I will be free from you, and the whole world will know that my God is alive!”
When you take your stand, God can take care of the rest. Remember that you are not alone. Jesus is with you, and this ministry is praying for you. Today is a good day to know that you’ve already got it!
