Obstacles to overcome

Psalm 105:19 "until what he had said came to pass,the word of the Lord tested him."

It is commonly reported that when a predator overwhelms a peacock, it buries its head in the sand. It believes that because it is not seeing itself, the enemy does not see it. This way, it makes itself a cheap prey. Foolish you may say...but many people face life in a similar way. They feign ignorance of the challenges they need to face in order to move ahead; believing that somehow, anyhow, they might escape without any struggle. There is no point in avoiding what one would have to confront. Life was programmed to overcome trial before success.  Canaan had such great resources that those who benefited from it grew up as giants. While the ten spies saw them as obstacles and preferred to return to Egypt, Joshua and Caleb saw them as specks that must be cleared on the way to the promise. David needed the reward; on getting the king's promise of a wife and tax-exemption for his family, Goliath became like "one of the lions and the bear" he had killed before. If you must achieve your goal, face the obstacle. These differ with each goal; but there are common denominated impediments in life. We shall study these in some detail.   

Text: David and Goliath-ISam 17:45-47

1. Internal
Double-mindedness-(James 1:8)-breeds instability
Guilt-(Deut 21:9)-creates a feeling of inadequacy
Envy-(James 3:16)-breeds confusion

2. External
Lack of resources-(Ecl. 10:19)
Curses-tendency to experiencing "near successes"-(Deut 11:26, Gen 27:12)
Human barriers-(Herods and Pharaohs-) Discuss the account Herod desiring to go “worship baby Jesus, beheading John the Baptist and pleasing the Jews by killing James. Moses and Pharaoh-the historic confrontation

3. Action plan against foreseen obstacles
a. Believe in who you have become in the new birth (IICor 5:17)
b. Faith (single most important factor to goal-accomplishment)-Heb 11:6
c. Develop yourself for acquisition of requisite resources (study to qualify...)-Tim 2:15
d. Renew your mind (be transformed by the renewal of your mind) –Rom 12:1,2
e. Confront the enemy with conviction of your authority (David's statement to Goliath)
f. Get into your "shrine" (Jesus often withdrew amidst controversial times)- Luke 5:16; Matt 12:15; John 6:15
g. Physical retreat (escape)-flee youthful lust, Jesus escaped from premature maltreatment many times, escape from disturbance-go to the library...
h. Say {speak-a silent tongue is an inhibited destiny} (we shall discuss this in a subsequent study)

Work sheet:
Identify any obstacle/s you think might be standing against your fulfilling your mandate
Determine actions to take against it/them

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