Master of Breakthroughs

Here's a summary of the message Pastor gave at Hideout on Sunday night...

Title: Master of Breakthroughs
Primary Verses: II Samuel 5:17-25

In this passage David had just been anointed as King over Israel. The Philistines heard of it and planned to come find him and kill him. When David gets word of this, he makes his way to a stronghold. Stronghold in this instance does not hold a the negative connotation that we might be used to thinking of from its usage in 2 Corinthians 10:4. Instead, the stronghold is as place of safety, protection, prayer, and close time with God (Psalm 57:1-3, Isaiah 26:20).

The Philistines come to the Valley of Rephaim to look for David. (verse 18)
(literal translation of Rephaim = band of giants uniting; energy)

When in this stronghold, David inquires of the Lord what he is supposed to do with this situation.(verse 19) While he was just crowned king, David does not assume that his own authority is the answer and turns to God for guidance and help. He is not presumptuous, but rather humbles himself before God and realizes his need for Him. Pastor emphasized that prayer is KEY - it is important for our flesh to resist the desire to do things on our own, and to submit to the Lord and inquire of Him what His will may be in situations in our lives. As David inquired to the Lord about the Philistines, the Lord promised to deliver them into David's hands. Then comes verse 20:
"So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim."

Literal translations: Baal = "master", Perazim = "breakthrough"

Because of David's humility and going to the stronghold, the Lord brought a breakthrough and victory from enemies seeking to harm David and his army! From this we can glean that God desires us to spend time with him in prayer, to seek Him, and as we do that God will bring victory in our lives and there will be breakthroughs! God is near to those with a broken spirit in a contrite heart (Psalm 34:18) and loves when we will humble ourselves and come to him.

Next verse - 21 "And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away."

While they enjoyed victory, they did not keep the idols for themselves but got rid of them. Sometimes when we have victory in a certain area, we have to be careful not to focus back on ourselves. It's important to keep close to the prayer closet. With victory there can be the temptation to minimize or not be as fervent in the prayer closet because we don't feel the need as heavily as when we were faced with our enemy. We WILL face the enemy again! We should use the victories as an even further motivation to stick close to God, remain humble, and not trust in our own strength. Give all glory to God!

Verse 22 - The Philistines come back again! In verse 23, David once again inquires of the Lord. He doesn't assume that just because God brought victory that the same thing will happen again. God rarely does the same thing twice. :) This time God speaks to David again, giving him very specific, different instructions on how to attack the Philistines. David obeys the instruction of the Lord again and victory is won.

We can learn again not to assume that just because we've had victories in other areas, or even in the same area, that we can do it on our own the second time around. Perhaps God has specific instructions to give us in order to bring us to victory! We can only know this if we stay fervent in prayer and go often to the "stronghold".

Also...if we are struggling in any area - seek God in prayer! Inquire of him. Know that He is the Master of Breakthroughs and can bring victory as we humble ourselves and seek Him fervently.

Pastor also gave 4 key things to remember when it comes to breakthroughs and victories:

1. Keep in contact with God (Psalm 109:1-4)
2. Exaltation brings new attacks. "Greater levels bring different devils."
3. It is God who treads down our enemies.
4. There are always more Philistines!