“2026: Year of the Explosion” Day 2: God can explode obstacles.

“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned. And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am amazed when I watch elite athletes, military trainees, and so on, running extensive obstacle courses with what seems like relative ease. The fact is, they come to do so, after much repetitive, often grueling, training.

Now, you may not be out there running obstacle courses, but I imagine that you are currently being challenged by obstacles—not the kind that are found being mastered by “Ninja Warriors”—but the kind that life throws across your path.

Over the next several days, we will be using the story found in our opening scripture to examine David’s experience with dealing with obstacles in the form of enemies. We will endeavor to glean from this story what we need to know about getting past our own seemingly immovable obstacles.

Remember, David had experience from a young age with overcoming great challenges through the power of God. Consider how David answered, Saul, when Saul thought that he was foolish to attempt to fight Goliath:

“But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭34‬-‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Then, faced with the mocking by Goliath, David still responds with great confidence:

“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭45‬-‭47‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Friend, we serve a God who specializes in moving the immovable. In this “Year of the Explosion,” let’s expect to see long-standing obstacles, moved, yes, exploded, out of our way!

Tomorrow, we will begin our consideration of David’s victory at Baal-Perazim.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!