SCRIPTURE READING: 1 SAMUEL 17: 1-53
FOCUS: “And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.” (1 Samuel 17: 3)
MEMORY VERSE: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2: 6)
Our Focal Scripture speaks of how the Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side. The game plan of the enemies of Israel didn’t differ much from the game plan of Israel. Israel did not do anything significantly different from what their enemies did. They literally moved at the pace of their enemies. They did the much their enemies did. They were on the same level as the enemies.
Friend, as you go through life, never accept to be on the same level with the Devil. Don’t make the mistake of operating on the same level as the enemy. Don’t use the same strategy of the enemy. Don’t operate at the same level the enemy wants you to operate in. When you face a battle and begin to worry, fear, doubt God, or see yourself as a victim, you are already operating on the level of the enemy. Don’t do what the enemy would do.
Notice that the position of the Philistines on the mountain was first mentioned, before it was mentioned that the armies of Israel took same position. So the Philistines took the lead and Israel followed. They engaged Israel on their own terms. In all your doings, never allow the enemy to lead your actions. Don’t allow the enemy to engage you on his own terms. Don’t react to battles according to lessons you took from the enemy.
As the Philistines and Israelites all remained on their opposing mountains, nothing changed. When they remained on the same level, no progress was made. If you keep operating on the same level as the enemy, nothing will change. You won’t make progress if you keep doing the same things the enemy will have you do. You won’t make progress if you continue to follow the lead of the Devil. You won’t win if you copy from the enemy.
Don’t allow yourself to operate on the same level as the Devil. Don’t follow the footsteps of the enemy.
FURTHER READING: EPHESIANS 2
DECLARATION:
- I won’t operate on the same level as the enemy; I won’t walk in the enemy’s footsteps, in Jesus’ name!
