Text: Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul’s officers. So David’s name became very famous (1 Sam. 18:30 NLT).

David fought many battles against Israel’s arch-enemy, the Philistines. However, it is on record that he never lost a single battle against them. As stated above, David recorded more victories than all the officers of the king. It is pertinent to note that these officers received formal training in the art of warfare. David, on the other hand, was a shepherd boy brought up in the back of the desert to rear the flocks of his father Jesse. How come then that a shepherd boy was more successful at war than career soldiers and elite guards of the king? The secret is found in the following passages of the scriptures:

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts (Psalm 119:97-100)

Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight (Psalm 144:1)

David had a special instructor, Jehovah the Almighty! No marvel he was always winning every battle. David received divine instructions to overcome his enemies by inspiration of God through his spirit. “But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding” (Job 32:8). David delighted in the meditating upon the word of God and was constantly connected to the Source.

As modern day believers we are indeed blessed to have the Holy Spirit with us to instruct and guide us. Jesus said, ‘When he, the Spirit of truth has come, he will guide you into all truth’ (John 16:13). This implies that believers should win every battle of life like David won all his battles. This is not so, however, and this could be attributed to one factor; lack of meditation on the word of God. Meditation on the word of God brings success and prosperity (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1: 1-3). The cares and attractions of this world have so much filled the believers’ hearts that there is no place for meditation on the word. The internet (facebook, twitter, instagram), television (reality shows, sports, movies), different kinds of gadgets (ipod,ipad, iphone, android) etc have taken over the place of quality time of meditation.

A meditating believer is a winning believer. When believers understand the need to create space and time for meditation on the word of God then, and only then, can we according to God’s commission to Joshua “make our ways prosperous and then have good success.”

Glory to God!

City of David – perfecting the saints for service (Eph. 4:12)