Garrison!

2 Samuel 8:6,14
"Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went."
"He put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went."

"GARRISON": The troops stationed in a fortress or town to defend it... A pillar, prefect, post set to guard something & to keep order.

As the Celebration of the Birth of our Savior this year is past & we begin to look forward into the days of tomorrow,
I would like to take a moment & share some comparisons about the life of King David & Saul that I believe might be useful for the New Year.

King Saul fought as hard as David & in many ways was as victorious as David in battle. If he wasn't as successful, it was because he never seemed to learn the importance of GARRISONING what he had conquered. He kept fighting the Philistines over & over, often on the same terrain.

What can we learn from this?
"FORWARD MOTION ONLY COMES WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO RETURN TO THE SAME PLACE OVER & OVER AGAIN!"
"WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT THE SAME BATTLES REPEATEDLY!"
"WHEN WE SECURE OUR VICTORIES BY BUILDING GARRISONS TO PROTECT OUR CONQUERED TERRITORIES!"

Something to think about:
HAVE YOU BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME HABITS YEAR AFTER YEAR?

HAVE YOU GAINED THE VICTORY AT SOME POINT, BUT FIND THAT ENEMY CONTINUALLY ADVANCING IN YOUR LIFE?

DOES THIS ENEMY CONTINUALLY SET YOU BACK OR DISRUPT YOUR FORWARD MOTION?

"VICTORIES BRING THE CONQUERED INTO SUBJECTION!"
"THOSE VICTORIES EVENTUALLY BEGIN TO BRING TRIBUTE!"
(Your testimony of victory will eventually bring Glory to God!)
"FINALLY, YOUR FORWARD MOTION WILL SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO THOSE AROUND YOU!"

Therefore, build your garrisons, protect you territory & guard your victories in the year to come!
THEN, WATCH & SEE HOW FAR YOU GO!!!