Bob Revnell, Trustee & Elder
Reading | Matthew 8.1-17

The best record of Jesus’ teaching and preaching is in the book of Matthew. We’ve seen it in chapters 5-7 with our readings. When we last gathered together in person, we read The Beatitudes. They describe the nature of life in the Kingdom of God. Through this authoritative teaching, Jesus shows Himself as the Messiah. This is the Word.

Now we’ll turn to the deeds . . . the Kingdom power now demonstrated. These miracles and deeds are proof of Jesus as Messiah, and that the Kingdom truly has arrived.

Jesus comes ministering to the ordinary person, the little guy, the marginalized. Some are disappointed that He doesn’t take on an earthly throne and kingdom. Instead, His mission is to overthrow Satan’s strongholds in people’s lives, showing compassion for them.

Matthew 8.1-17

Reading & Message

Pastor Jared Ingle
Message | David’s Breakthrough

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. 2 Samuel 5.17-18, NIV 1999

i. David is the new King of Israel

David’s old enemies, the Philistines rise up against him. He had already killed their champion, the giant Goliath. Now they gather in the Valley of Rephaim. Rephaim means giants. Is it possible that the Philistines are recruiting giants to fight David?

The enemy will try to keep us from becoming what God wants us to become. He will raise up people to speak against us, acting against God’s plan. If he can, the enemy will try to raise up old giants from our past.

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 hand the Philistines over to you.” 2 Sam 5.19

ii. It is nothing new for David to pray before a battle

David is always inquiring of the Lord before a battle. His persistence in prayer gives us a glimpse of his character. One of the core components of David’s character is that he’s always seeking the heart of the Lord.

Nonetheless, many of us instantly think of David’s greatest failure. He went through a time when he was caught up in great sin. But that sin does not define his character over his lifetime.

iii. King David replaces King Saul who has quite a different character

King Saul is ordered by the Lord to wait for the Prophet Samuel, who will offer a sacrifice before Saul goes to battle. Samuel confronts Saul because he disobeys and hastily offers a sacrifice on his own.

What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

“You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13.11-14

What’s the difference between Saul and David?

David loves God with all his heart. Saul loves himself with all his heart.

David stumbles into sin and then repents with all of his heart. Saul stumbles into sin and then embraces a lifestyle of sin.

Saul follows his own heart, but David seeks the heart of God.

iv. David’s prayer before battle is a glimpse of a life of prayer (2 Sam 5.19)

He seeks God’s heart as a shepherd, a musician in Saul’s court, and as King. In this passage, we’re just catching one glimpse of David’s character.

The Lord promises victory before the battle begins. This is a challenge to us, an instruction to seek the heart of God. There are times when the Lord will promise us victory before the battle.

So far, this story is nothing new for David. It’s happened before . . . but what happens next is unique.

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 Sam 5.20-21

v. David defeats them at Baal Perazim

David names that place Baal Perazim. Baal is a common name for a lord, a chief, or sometimes a false god. This may be the only time in Scripture God is called Baal, a very ancient reference.

Perazim is often applied to some type of breach or breakthrough. It refers to God’s activity punishing Israel. It refers at times to God’s punishment of Israel’s enemies.

If we put Baal together with Perazim as David did, we have a completely unique name for God. There are minor differences in translation, but I love one option. Baal Perazim can literally mean the Lord of the Breakthrough.

vi. David’s Breakthrough can become our breakthrough

David’s Breakthrough is not because he’s a military genius. David’s Breakthrough must come from a higher source. David’s old enemy, the Philistines are stirring up hornet’s nest. Maybe the old giants are rising up again in the land.

We need a breakthrough in our world today from a higher source. A plague is on the rampage that is rising up like a global giant. We need a global breakthrough against this giant.

David seeks God, Baal Perazim, Lord of the Breakthrough.

Where are we expecting our breakthrough to come from? Politics may change, but they may not produce breakthrough. Medicine may change, but it may not produce breakthrough. Safety has changed, but it may not produce breakthrough.

Everything may change, but our God has never changed! He’s still Baal Perazim. He’s still Lord of the Breakthrough.

Do you need a breakthrough?

Do we need a breakthrough as a people?

Will we experience something like David’s Breakthrough?

An Invitation to Consider:

Learning to rely on God to fight our battles is not learned in battle. If we wait until we’re in a battle to turn to God, we’ve already waited too long.

Like David, we must rely on God on a regular basis. We call on Him in the everyday.

Like David, our character becomes the type of character that finds strength in Him.

Like David, we become a people with a reputation for seeking “after his own heart.”

Then when the battle presents itself, we just might experience David’s Breakthrough.

May we see the hand of God at work, Lord of the Breakthrough