"Gaining New Ground"
Inspiration
(by: Pastor James Scarborough, Donalsonville Assembly of God) Scripture records many

Scripture records many achievements of King David; some of them read like beautiful stories while others are filled with accounts of bloodshed that are difficult to understand. One of his most outstanding victories is recorded in II Samuel 5 - the story of his conquest of Jerusalem. Up to this point, Jerusalem was inhabited by a group of people known as the Jebusites.

II Samuel 5:6-7 gives us this overview: "The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, 'You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.' They thought, 'David cannot get in here. Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David" (NIV).

It might be difficult for us to connect with a story about a military operation that took place over 3000 years ago, yet we can appreciate this event a bit better when we consider that Jerusalem was not just another city-- indeed, it was one of great signifi- cance for God's people in the Old Testament era, as well as in the birth and development of the Church in the New Testament era. Not only did King David take up residence in Jerusalem and reign from there, but centuries later the city became the place of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the location of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the early Church. Furthermore, as we look ahead to events yet to come, Revelation 21 speaks of the new Jerusalem: "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (verse 2).

With the significance of this city in mind, we should be made to wonder what would have happened if David had viewed the attempt to seize Jerusalem as too difficult and too risky. Had he listened to and believed the taunts of the Jebusites, the new ground would not have been taken and another group would have maintained a stronghold in the midst of his nation.

It is very likely that every one of us have areas that need to be taken over spiritually; areas which, if left alone, will greatly inhibit our future spiritual growth and success. That new ground that we need to gain might be an area that houses some sin that we are repeatedly overcome by; it might be a new level of commitment to prayer that we have thus far failed to reach; it might be a special call that God has placed upon our lives that we have not yet surrendered to. Gaining victory over spiritual new ground can be a life changing experience; not only for ourselves, but also for those we are able to reach with the Gospel message.

Have you sat in one place spiritually far too long, listening to the taunts of the devil telling you that you cannot go any further in your spiritual development? Right now is an excellent time to stop listening to his lies and move ahead with the guidance and help of God.