Shut Off The Negatives

September 18, 2023 by John Crause

David is one of my favorite Bible characters. Even though he messed up badly so many times, nevertheless he was truly a man after God’s heart and zealous for the things of the Lord. 

I recently read in 1 Samuel about where David’s three oldest brothers were with the army of Israel and about to face the Philistines. Their father sent David to them with some provisions and to find out how they were doing. 

Of course, he arrived at the exact time that Goliath was spewing at Israel and demanding that someone come and fight with him. When he asked about it, this is what his older brother said to him in 1 Samuel 17:28.

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why did you come down here, and with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the naughtiness of your heart; for you are come down that you might see the battle.

Wow, nice brother! He spurned David and just saw him as a foolish and arrogant kid brother. 

When David finally convinced Saul that he should fight Goliath, Saul also looked down on him, but in a different way. He said in 1 Samuel 27:33,

And Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for you [are but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

David was rejected twice for trying to do what he knew he could do. Saul then half relented, but insisted that David wear his huge armor. He didn’t know the power of God that operated in David or the confidence that David had in the Lord. In fact, when he tried to make David put on his armor, it was like doing things the worldly way. 

Well we all know this story; how David rejected wearing the armor, went out and slew Goliath with one small stone. 

David knew what the Lord had put in him, and he knew what he was capable of. If he could face a bear and a lion and sort those vicious animals out single-handedly, then he knew that Goliah was no threat to him. 

He also knew that the Lord would come through for him. Unfortunately nobody else seemed to know what David knew and they put him down for it. 

Get Your Strength in the Lord

Can you identify with David? Perhaps the Lord has given you something special to do, or He has called you to rise up and do amazing things for Him. Maybe you are on fire for the Lord and want to get out there and conquer the world for Him. 

That is great! But now you need to know that the enemy will try and bring naysayers into your life; those who say that you don’t have the capability to do what He has given you to do. These could be people from the church who are jealous of you. Or in many cases, as David experienced, they are the very members of your own family. 

Perhaps right now you are trying really hard but you seem to be getting nowhere. You feel disillusioned because there are so many negative people around you. But this is what the Lord wants to say to you today. 

“I know what I have called you to do for Me, and I know what I have put in you, says the Lord. But Satan will always try to bring people across your path to sideswipe you and make you think that you cannot do this thing. 

But he is a liar, My child. And when he tells you through people that you are a failure, then you can rejoice because he can never tell the truth. 

So when he comes to try and speak negative things in your ears, simply block them out. Reject them and send those words back where they came from. Do not listen to them, but listen only to My voice speaking words of assurance and strength to you. 

Then take my hand and walk with me along the special path that I have for you, for nothing can stop My plan and purpose for your life. And nothing can prevent you from succeeding in what I have given you to do. For I will make a way and will confirm to you everything you need to do in order to succeed, says the Lord.”

Today may you reject the negative voices that are trying to put you down and make you fail. You can do whatever the Lord has put in you to do, and nothing can stop you from making an impact on this world for Him. 

Many blessings.

Daphne Crause
Apostle and Servant of Jesus
Global Business Ministries International