Key scripture – “When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, ‘Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (2 Samuel 5:17-19).

When you are about to enter your destiny, there is always opposition from Satan designed to prevent you from fulfilling your destiny.

When Jesus was born, Herod tried to kill him to stop Him from achieving His destiny. “Herod was furious when he learned that the astrologers had disobeyed him. Sending soldiers to Bethlehem, he ordered them to kill every baby boy two years old and under, both in the town and on the nearby farms, for the astrologers had told him the star first appeared to them two years before.” (Matthew 2:16).

When Jesus was baptized and fasted 40 days, Satan came to tempt Him in an effort to derail his destiny. “Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, to be tempted there by Satan.” (Matthew 4:1).

When David had been anointed king over Israel, God’s destiny had been revealed for all to see, even Satan. So, Satan raised up the Philistines to try and kill David’s destiny. However, in response, we see David do two things in the key scripture.

First, he retreats to his stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a quiet place.

Second, he inquires of God. It is here that he inquires of God for the strategy to defeat his enemy. God reveals it to him and he goes on to defeat the Philistines. In fact, David NEVER lost a battle because he learned to inquire of God for the strategy to defeat his enemies.

David knew where he got his strength. He also knew that the Lord was his rock, fortress, stronghold and deliverer, and that is why David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies… He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me… For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.” (2 Samuel 22:1-4, 18-20, 29-37).

Beware of Satan’s strategy to attack you in the place of your destiny. His desire is to take you off this divine path. We must follow David’s example in response to the enemy of our souls. We must retreat to our stronghold, which is The Lord, seek Him in prayer, and listen for His answer. He will guide You and show you the way. Then, you can fulfill the purpose for which God created you for and reach your destiny. “I say to the Lord, “You are my refuge, my stronghold! You are my God—the one I trust!” (Psalm 91:2).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I retreat to You because You are my stronghold, my refuge, my strength. I proclaim that You, “Lord, you are my strength and my stronghold; you are my refuge in time of trouble.” (Jeremiah 16:19a). Every battle I face is Yours and I give it to You. I stand silently before You, waiting for You to rescue me, for salvation comes from You alone. Yes, You alone are my Rock, my Rescuer, my Defense and my Fortress. Why then should I ever be tense with fear when troubles come? (Psalm 62:1-2). I will stand still and watch You fight for me today because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. You, Lord, are good, a haven in a day of distress. You acknowledge those who take refuge in You. (Nahum 1:7). Like David, I pray this song of praise to You, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.” Thank You Lord, for fighting my battles, rescuing me, and showing me the way, so that I fulfill the purpose that You have for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.