In the Spirit of Faith and Zeal

In the Spirit of Faith and Zeal

We can only overcome in this Spirit; yes, we can even be more than conquerors. Joshua and Caleb did not doubt that they could win a resounding victory. They were going to take the descendants of Anak, of the children of the giants, like pieces of bread. They possessed the Spirit of faith and zeal like none of the others did.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Eph. 6:10. We are only as strong as we partake of faith and zeal. David possessed this strength when he went against the giant Goliath. He ran after the bear and the lion in faith and zeal and killed them in order to save the sheep. In this same Spirit he ran against Goliath because he had mocked the armies of the living God. Goliath presented himself for forty days—every morning and every evening—with taunting words, and all the men of Israel fled from before the man when they saw him, and they were dreadfully afraid. However, David saw and heard in a completely different way than all these men who were afraid. He saw and heard in the Spirit of faith and zeal, and he immediately reported for service. The giant was to fall in the name of God, the Lord of hosts; there was no doubt about it in his heart. He could go against this champion in a prophetic Spirit and testify beforehand to an overwhelming victory: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

The stone from David’s sling struck Goliath and sank deep into his forehead, the same forehead that had invented all the taunts and mockery against God and Israel. David had God with him in the battle, and the stone struck where it was supposed to strike. Read 1 Samuel, Chapter 17 one more time.

Such proud foreheads will never overcome the Spirit, the wisdom, and the knowledge that proceed from Christ’s true followers. No one could resist the wisdom and the Spirit in which Stephen spoke. He was able to give his pure and undefiled spirit to the Lord Jesus who rose to receive him. Acts 7:59.

There are strong, satanic powers at work in these days, seeking to break down the Spirit that is from God. We must stand wholeheartedly on God’s side in this battle, clothed with the full armor and in the Spirit of Christ, which is stronger than all other spirits. We need to see how abominable, how evil, and how impure these horrible spirits are if we are to receive the necessary faith and zeal to overcome them. We meet them at schools, on the job, and wherever we go in these times of darkness.

Only in the Spirit of faith and zeal can we gird ourselves with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness, and prepare for battle on behalf of the gospel of peace. Eph. 6. It is up to us to lay hold of the shield of faith in order to extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one and take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, by always praying in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication, and with this in mind, be on the alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

David also had a living interest in the reward which the man was to receive who would overcome Goliath. The joy of hope was set on fire even more when he heard that that man would receive great riches as well as the king’s daughter, and his father’s house would be tax exempt in Israel. He himself was a poor, young man, as was his father Jesse, who was old and frail and had eight sons. David was greatly interested in receiving these riches, but the glory of God and Israel was the greatest thing for him.

Peter said to Jesus, “‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” Matt. 19:27-28. We have the promise that we will receive a hundredfold for what we have left for the gospel’s sake “now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 19-28-30.

It was also Paul’s desire that the Ephesians should have their eyes opened to what gave them an abundant hope, faith, and joy. Eph. 1:17-19. He presented them with the greatest glory so that they could see what they had to fight for, and how exceedingly great His power was toward those who believe.

In Revelation 2 and 3 (in His letters to the seven churches) Jesus proclaimed the greatest promises to those who overcame.

Paul had fought the good fight of faith; the crown of righteousness was waiting for him and for all those who loved Christ’s appearing. 2 Tim. 4:7-8. Those who endure in temptations, and are tested will receive the crown of life. Jas. 1:12. When the Chief Shepherd appears, the faithful elders who have shepherded the flock willingly, and not for dishonest gain, will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Pet. 5:2.

Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame. Heb. 12:2. The heroes in the old covenant did not accept deliverance from their many agonizing pains because they looked forward to a better resurrection. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets all overcame in the Spirit of faith and zeal. Heb. 11:32.

We need to see and hear something from God if we are to fight enthusiastically in the Spirit of faith and zeal in order to remain standing on the evil day, having overcome all.