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Wow! It feels like the last eight weeks have flown by! We’re already at Step 5, poised to begin a plan to live the truth we learned about YHWH Tsaba, the LORD of hosts, from David in 1 Samuel 17. I’m really excited about this, because I admit I’ve allowed fear to creep into my life in the past few years. But that’s not how God wants me to live.

Last Week’s Work

LESSON(S) LEARNED
The key lesson I’m taking away from this study is how knowing and trusting the LORD of Hosts takes away fear. I can’t really describe it, but as I’ve reviewed this study over the last few days, I feel my faith in God growing stronger, resisting the fear our enemy and his minions have used to sap my energy and immobilize me—not unlike Israel’s army at the thought of fighting Goliath.

CONVICTION

I’m convicted that I must stand up to the fear. I’ve got to use the weapon in my hand—the DISO Bible study process—to knock down my ”giant” enemies… who aren’t so giant in the face of the LORD of hosts. I hope as you’ve been studying with me that you also feel empowered to stand against our enemies, wrapped in the belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness given freely to all believers, standing strong on the gospel of peace, protected by the shield of faith and the helmet of our salvation, and equipped to skillfully wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!

CORRECTION

Verse 47 is the inspiration for my correction statement: “…the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give [our true enemies] into our hands!” It’s not about beating human “enemies;” it’s about defeating the fear and other tactics of enemies we can’t see. God can see them, though, and through our faith, He mobilizes His heavenly hosts for His battle. I’m already feeling the effects of stronger faith and praising God!

ACTION PLAN

Faith and courage are like muscles: they only become stronger when they are tested. While I’m not ready to charge hell with a water pistol, I am putting some plans in place to step out of my comfort zone with DISO. Please pray for my faith to be like David’s, that I will stand firm in the face of any resistance or games (especially head games!) the enemy may bring.

Our Next Study

This time let’s continue our quest to know God through His names by studying Genesis 22:1-19. If you’ve been in church for a while, you’ll probably recognize this story about Abraham and Isaac, from which we have God’s name YHWH Raah. By the way, if that looks vaguely familiar, it’s similar to the Hebrew name from our first study in this series, Psalm 23.

I hope you’ll join me beginning next week. I can’t wait to dig into another piece of Scripture with you!