Hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth, David was a model of a Christian’s relationship with God. He spent quality time in the quiet place with God. He knew God was near, and he knew God was good. That’s what you need to have in your relationship with God if you want to ‘fight the good fight of faith’ (1 Timothy 6:12 KJV). Some of God’s promises have to be fought for, and to do that you need to know God’s good to you and near to you. An enemy army who controlled Jerusalem told David, ‘You’ll never get in here!’ (2 Samuel 5:6 NLT). To make matters worse, Jerusalem was hundreds of feet above David’s army and the only way up was through a water cistern, which meant wading through muck. But David knew his good God had promised him the throne, so, ‘[n]evertheless David took the stronghold of Zion’ (v. 7 NKJV). Understand this: if He has to, God will bring you up through the gutter to get you to the throne. Note the word nevertheless. When you’re up to your neck in problems and the enemy is saying you won’t make it, stand on God’s promises and declare, ‘Nevertheless.’ Preach to yourself. Summon up your shrinking faith. . ‘The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits’ (Daniel 11:32 NKJV). God can show you how to exploit the circumstances for your good and His glory. And with each new battle, make sure you begin by rooting yourself in relationship with God, and move on from there. ‘David asked the LORD, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied… “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you”’ (2 Samuel 5:19 NLT).

What now?

If you’re at the end of your faith, start again in the quiet place with God. Take your shrinking faith, and sit with it in the presence of your good Father.