“When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?’

The Lord answered him, ‘Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.’

So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, ‘As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.’ So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.”

2 Samuel 5:17-21

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How do we hold space in the waiting when we step out into something we believe God has called us to? Often when we walk into the Promised Land it is filled with giants, but that does not make God’s promises less true. In this Sunday’s message from guest Pastor Chris Bennett, we learn that even when we don’t have full understanding, we can have full trust in the God of breakthrough.

• There are 8,810 promises spoken by God in scripture
• When God speaks a promise, he is not a man that he would lie to you. If God has spoken it, you can stand on it.
• “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
• Sometimes we think faith is big hype when really faith is big trust.
• If you get where you want to go fast, you will not stay there long.
• We have to be aware of the schemes of the enemy, and he is looking to isolate you through pain and disappointment
• A stronghold is a place you go to be strengthened in the Lord
• “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9
• We may not have full understanding, but we can have full trust
• Waiting is not inactivity, it’s the way to hold hope.
• David was anointed to be king when he was a teenager, but was not appointed until he was 30 years old.
• God is not in a hurry to get you somewhere, he’s trying to make you into someone. He’s trying to get his character inside of you so that you can be salt and light in the world.
• Baal Perazim means “The Lord breaks out”
• The same God that broke through for David is the same God who wants to break through for you

Dinner Party Questions

1. What is your response when you believe you have a promise from God that has not yet been fulfilled?
2. Are you waiting on a promise or breakthrough in your life? Do you see God developing intimacy in your need?
3. Where do you go to where the enemy is overwhelming you? How can you go to the stronghold of God this week?
4. There is no formula with faith: your breakthrough will come through obedience. How can you walk in obedience to God this week?