Deal with the stripper of Joy, Dignity & Honor

David, who once conquered Goliath of Gath, faced a critical moment in his life. Under relentless pressure and desperation, he fled to Gath, the homeland of the giant he had defeated, seeking refuge and a peace deal. The mighty warrior, who once carried Goliath's sword in triumph, now returned with that very sword, pretending to be insane to stay alive.

In 1 Samuel 21:8-9, David asks Ahimelech, “Is there not here a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.” Ahimelech responds, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it, for there’s none other here.” David replies, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Fleeing from Saul in such haste that he had no weapon, David grabbed Goliath’s sword. But instead of wielding it in triumph, he ran to Gath for safety, only to face humiliation.

In 1 Samuel 21:10-15, we read:
"David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish, the king of Gath. The servants of Achish said, ‘Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing of him, saying, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands”?’ David heard these words and was greatly afraid. He changed his behavior, pretended madness, scratched at the doors, and let saliva fall on his beard. Achish said, ‘Do I lack madmen that you brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Should this man enter my house?’"

What a tragic sight. May you never be stripped of dignity and honor. May you never be seen as a madman in a place where you once triumphed. May whatever pressures you,  drive you to God’s presence where your strength is renewed and not into a place where your value is diminished.

David, once the champion of Israel who defeated Gath’s giant as a youth, returned to the same city seeking refuge, only to be exposed. The young man who stood fearless without a beard as a teenager now drooled on his beard as an adult to escape danger. Life’s pressures pushed him to attempt a partnership with the enemies of   God.

May nothing in life lead you to partner with the enemy. May you hold onto your dignity and honor in every circumstance. May you not rebuild what you once destroyed through God’s strength. In this coming year 2025, may you be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. May God’s hand rest powerfully upon you and your family, keeping you steadfast as His faithful servant.

Happy New Year dearly beloved. It's been amazing serving Jesus with you. God bless you with a glorious new year ahead. We love you and stay renewed, refreshed, revived and clothed with Dignity and Honor. 

Proverbs 31:25:Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

See you Next Year in your full strength, honor and glory!

With Love From - Temitope & Irene Agbana.