Many of us faithfully pray to an all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing God who says, “Nothing is too difficult for Me” and who told His disciples, “I expect you to do the impossible, like feed 5,000 people.” Yet we assume that the same God doesn’t want to continue to do the impossible through us in our lives. We think that breakthrough is only a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Now what if I told you that experiencing regular breakthroughs – getting God’s supernatural strength to get through impossible situations – could become your “new normal”?
To find out how, let’s look at the life of David.
David was someone who regularly experienced God’s breakthroughs throughout his life. It started when he was chosen to be the king of Israel even though he was the most unlikely candidate, a shepherd boy who was the youngest of his family.
Then, when he was a teenager, God gave David the opportunity and supernatural ability to slay a giant named Goliath. This huge, nine-foot-tall giant taunted the armies of God every day, causing the king and the warriors to tremble in fear. But David was naïve and idealistic, and when he heard about this he wondered, “How can these people stand around when our enemy is saying these insulting things against our great God?” With God’s favor, David ended up killing Goliath with only a sling and a rock.
After this amazing breakthrough, David earned respect from King Saul, and he formed the deepest and best relationship of his life with Saul’s son, Jonathan.
Many of us can relate to David. We’ve had ups and downs, have taken steps of faith, and have trusted God for a breakthrough in our own lives. Whether it was to get counseling, make restitution with a parent, or asking forgiveness from a friend.
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Free MP3Listen NowBut what happens when our circumstances get worse? We have this American notion that once we do the right thing, then everything is going to be wonderful.
The reality is, once we take steps of faith and God’s favor is poured out, our situation often gets more difficult before it gets better.
This is what happened to David. He had a breakthrough followed by blessings and wealth and favor, but then things got bad. He was betrayed by King Saul and ended up running for his life, spending the next 10 years of his life hiding in caves, separated from his family.
But David didn’t allow his fear to consume him or prevent him from trusting God for another breakthrough.
In Psalm 27, he declared by faith: The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though a war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (v. 1,3)
Despite his fear, David was confident – not in his own power – but in God’s power. He had a strong faith in God and refused to let his fears determine his life.
We are called to do the same.
Hebrews 11:6 says: Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.
The person who comes to God asking for a breakthrough must have faith. They must believe that God really exists – that He’s a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God’s blessing – these impossible things that He does in our lives – and His supernatural power do not just happen to everybody.
Breakthrough happens regularly to those who believe God to the point that they step out, even though they’re afraid.
David wasn’t anyone special. He was a shepherd boy that became king. But he was also a bold risk-taker. And He trusted God even when he was afraid.
How about you? Are you trusting God, or are you paralyzed by fear?
Do you let your fear of people, fear of work, fear of stepping out, and fear of what other people think keep you from the life God wants for you?
God wants to regularly unleash His grace and His power in and through you – in your relationships, your workplace, and in your neighborhood. The question is: do you believe?
For more on this topic, check out Chip’s 10-session group study, Breakthrough: Unleashing God’s Power into Impossible Situations.
Written By
Chip Ingram
Founder & Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge
Chip Ingram is the CEO and teaching pastor of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their faith. He is the author of many books, including The Real God, Culture Shock and The Real Heaven. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.
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