We react differently to different situations. Surprisingly, our enemies have different reactions to everything that happens to us. We can learn this from David and the Philistines. We know how David waited patiently and dealt with Saul before he was anointed as the king over Israel. At last, when he became king, we expect him to have rest. But when the enemies of David saw his anointing, they wanted to come against him. This means the enemy doesn’t want us to have rest. But we don’t need to be restless about it—we should go to our stronghold, our God.
Verse 17 says, "All the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold," a place of refuge. When the enemy tries to overpower us, we need not fight in our own strength but should hide in the strength of the Lord. And when David was at war, he inquired of the Lord for his enemies to be delivered into his hands. The Lord never withheld David’s enemies. He said in verse 19, "Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand." Now, the Lord sends His word to send David up against his enemies.
When we strengthen ourselves in God's presence and wait for Him to deliver our enemies into our hands, the Lord will rise against them, empowering us with His powerful words and doubtlessly delivering them into our hands. The times when we hide in caves and wilderness will come to an end. The times of anointing will come. The times of getting empowered by the Lord’s strength will come. And then, the Lord God Jehovah Perazim enters the scene to give us a breakthrough over our enemy.
Verse 20 says, "So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated them there; and he said, 'The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.'" Water is one of the mightiest forces in nature—the calm and still water is one side, whereas the power and current in waterfalls and tsunamis come from the same water. When the Lord comes against our enemies, it is not going to be a gentle rain but a breakthrough of water.
Hey friend, the Philistines were in David's life from the beginning. Do not get tired of seeing the work of the enemy and how they keep coming against you in life. The Lord our God is the God of breakthroughs—when your breakthrough comes, there is no other way for the enemy but to flee from you.
But the Philistines didn’t stop there. Just like the spirit of Pharaoh after defeat, they followed David again. Now, once again, David inquired of the Lord. But this time, the Lord did not set him up against the enemy; instead, He Himself moved before them. God revealed His move to David.
Verse 24 says, "And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For the Lord will go before you to strike the camp of the Philistines."
The result? David drove back the Philistines from Geba to Gezer—a distance of 28 kilometers.
Are you in a place where you need to take a step against the enemy who is coming against you, crushing you? Inquire of the Lord. Let Him be your stronghold. Let Him go before you, give your enemies into your hands, and drive them miles away from you.
Praise be to our God, Jehovah Perazim—the Lord of breakthroughs! The Lord who doubtlessly delivers the enemy into our hands, who helps us chase them away from our land.
Hey friend, do not worry about the enemy who tries to overpower you in any area of your life. The Lord’s plan is to doubtlessly deliver the enemy into your hands—not you into his. Learn from David to trust in Jehovah Perazim.
Dear God, we praise You, our Jehovah Perazim! We praise You, our God of breakthroughs! We praise Your mighty name. Thank You for going before us and making our enemies flee from us. Thank You for empowering us. Thank You for Your anointing. Thank You for deliverance. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
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