Read 1 Chron. 18
Now that David's kingdom is established he goes after his enemies. The first one he goes after is the Philistines. He takes Gath which means "the treaders of the grapes". Once we realize we are in the kingdom we need to realize that God gave us the authority and power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. (Luke 10:19) The enemy will tread our fruit as long as we let him. When we tread on the grapes it produces great gladness and joy. When the enemy is doing the treading he steals our fruit and our joy. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. If those are being stolen from you, then the Philistines are in your land.
Notice with each enemy David slew he took something from them: gifts, chariots, horsemen, footmen, shields of gold, brass, gold, and silver. So David not only defeated his enemies but he demanded a payment of some kind. We can and should do that to the enemy. We can demand he pay us back more than he stole. In Duet. 28 God gives the blessings of obedience. He wanted them to look so blessed that the people would know that there was something really good about their god. He wanted us them to be blessed so much that they had more than enough and could lend and never have to borrow. We are so afraid to have abundance but it really gives glory to God. It is the mark of obedience. The curse comes when we don't listen to God's voice and do it. The blessings are to overtake us even in a down economy....especially in a down economy because God's kingdom is not subject to this world. It is "other".
David demanded people: the footmen and horsemen. We can demand this too. I look at some of the talented people today that started out in the church and have found fame and fortune in the world so they have joined in their worship. We can demand that the devil give them back and more. He even put shoes on the horses. That is giving the Word to the feet of those that carry the good news.
Anyway, it is time we make the devil our servants instead of serving him. You cannot have 2 masters...you cannot serve God and wealth. (Matt. 6:24)
Lord, teach us to tread on the land you have given us and take possession of it. Show us the things that have been stolen from us and our family and in your name give it back to us with interest. Give us holy boldness and tenacity to live in the kingdom.
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