Tug of War - Sis. Samantha Polm

Devotional

Day 1: Faithful Commitment: Standing with Heart and Soul

True commitment means standing with others wholeheartedly, even when the path ahead is uncertain or daunting. Jonathan’s armor bearer didn’t ask for details or guarantees; he simply declared his unwavering support, “I am with you, heart and soul.” This kind of loyalty and faith is what God calls us to in our relationships—with our leaders, our church, and with God Himself. It’s about saying yes to God’s plans, even when we don’t see the outcome, and being willing to step forward in faith, trusting that God can save “by many or by few.” [01:10]

1 Samuel 14:6-7 (ESV)
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear or see your wholehearted support today, and how can you tangibly show them you are “with them, heart and soul” in their journey?

Day 2: Spiritual Disciplines: Preparing for Battle

Victory in spiritual battles doesn’t come from physical strength but from spiritual preparation—prayer, Bible reading, and fasting. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal; they are mighty through God for pulling down strongholds. When we discipline ourselves in prayer and the Word, we are better equipped to recognize the enemy’s tactics and to stand firm in faith. Practicing these disciplines daily helps us align with God’s will and respond quickly when He calls us to action, making us ready to fight not just for ourselves, but for others. [15:24]

2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can intentionally strengthen this week to better prepare for the battles you face?

Day 3: The Power of Prayer: Becoming Effective and Righteous

Prayer is not just a ritual but a powerful, effective weapon in the hands of the righteous. When we cultivate a daily prayer life, our prayers become less self-focused and more aligned with God’s heart for others. The more time we spend with God, the more we become like Him, and the more our prayers reflect His compassion and purpose. Even when we struggle to know what to pray, simply starting the conversation with God opens the door for Him to work powerfully in and through us. [16:54]

James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Reflection: Who is one person outside your immediate circle that you can commit to pray for every day this week, asking God to move powerfully in their life?

Day 4: Encouragement and Support: Building Up the Body

Every act of encouragement, no matter how small, can be a lifeline to someone in the midst of their battle. A timely word, a helping hand, or simply showing up can make all the difference. Scripture reminds us that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” We are called to be a source of strength and encouragement for our leaders and each other, helping to carry the weight of ministry and ensuring no one fights alone. [26:31]

Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Reflection: Think of someone in your church or community who may be discouraged—how can you offer them a specific word or act of encouragement this week?

Day 5: Persevering for God’s Promises: Refusing to Give Up

There are times when the enemy’s lies and our own failures make us want to give up on the promises God has given us. But God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection—He never fails, even when we do. When we feel like giving up, we are called to fight for the promises of God, to trust that if He spoke it, He will bring it to pass. Even when hope seems lost, God can renew our vision and restore our faith, reminding us that His promises are sure and worth fighting for. [37:23]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you have struggled to believe or have given up on, and how can you choose to fight for it in prayer and faith today?

Sermon Summary

Life often feels like a spiritual tug of war, with unseen battles pulling us in different directions—some we choose, others we never asked for. Yet, in the midst of these struggles, God is always present, fighting for us and calling us to stand together as a church. The story of Jonathan and his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14 is a powerful example of unwavering loyalty, trust, and courage. Jonathan’s armor bearer didn’t hesitate or question the odds; he simply said, “I am with you, heart and soul.” This kind of commitment is what God desires from us—not just toward our leaders, but toward each other and the mission He’s given us.

We are all called to be armor bearers in the kingdom of God. This means more than just supporting from the sidelines; it’s about active engagement, personal sacrifice, and spiritual preparation. Every role in the church matters, whether it’s cleaning, greeting, praying, or leading. The enemy often tries to discourage us, whispering that our efforts are unnoticed or fruitless. But when we see others pouring themselves out for the church, it should inspire us to keep going, to refuse to let anyone carry the burden alone.

Spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible reading, fasting—are our weapons in this war. Prayer is not just a ritual, but a relationship that grows stronger with practice. The more we pray, the more our hearts align with God’s, and the more we intercede for others. The Bible is our strategy guide, revealing both God’s faithfulness and the enemy’s predictable tactics. Fasting helps us quiet the noise and tune our hearts to God’s voice, making us more effective in prayer and ministry.

Being an armor bearer also means practical support—helping with tasks, encouraging one another, and being reliable. Sometimes God places specific ministries on our hearts, and it’s our responsibility to act on them, not waiting for someone else to do it. Sacrifice is part of the calling—giving our time, resources, and comfort for the sake of others and the mission.

Even when we feel like failures, God’s promises remain. There are moments when discouragement is overwhelming, but God’s faithfulness never fails. If He has spoken a promise, He will fulfill it. Our call is to keep fighting for those promises, to pray for the lost, and to boldly step into the roles He’s given us, trusting that revival and restoration are coming.

Key Takeaways

1. Unwavering Commitment in Community: True spiritual progress happens when we stand together, echoing the armor bearer’s words: “I am with you, heart and soul.” This level of loyalty and support is not just for leaders but for every member of the body, ensuring no one carries the weight of ministry alone. Our unity and willingness to serve, even in unseen ways, are vital to the health and mission of the church. [04:19]
2. Spiritual Disciplines as Weapons: Victory in spiritual battles requires more than good intentions; it demands disciplined prayer, Bible reading, and fasting. These practices are not just religious duties but powerful tools that align us with God’s will, strengthen our resolve, and expose the enemy’s tactics. The more we invest in these disciplines, the more effective and discerning we become in the fight for souls. [15:24]
3. Recognizing and Resisting the Enemy’s Lies: The enemy’s strategies are ancient and repetitive—twisting God’s Word, sowing fear, doubt, and discouragement. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and prayer, we learn to recognize these patterns and respond with truth rather than panic. When fear and failure seem overwhelming, we must remember that God’s voice is always one of comfort, trust, and hope. [22:13]
4. Active Participation and Sacrifice: Every believer is called to more than passive attendance; we are invited into active ministry, practical support, and sacrificial living. Whether it’s launching a new outreach, encouraging a fellow believer, or simply being reliable, our contributions matter deeply. Sacrifice—of time, resources, and comfort—is the currency of revival and the evidence of genuine love for God and others. [29:23]
5. Holding Fast to God’s Promises Despite Failure: Even when we feel like we’ve failed or given up on God’s promises, His faithfulness endures. Our moments of weakness do not nullify His word; if He has spoken, He will bring it to pass. In seasons of doubt and discouragement, we are called to fight for those promises, intercede for the lost, and trust that God’s revival and restoration are on the horizon. [37:23]
** [37:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Reading 1 Samuel 14:6-7
[01:37] - The Power of Testimony and Burden for the Lost
[03:22] - Personal Reflections and Introduction to “Tug of War”
[04:56] - The Spiritual Tug of War in Life
[07:11] - Fighting for God’s Promises and Revival
[08:44] - The Role of the Armor Bearer
[10:40] - Outreach and Boldness in Ministry
[12:07] - Every Role in the Church Matters
[15:01] - Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer, Bible, Fasting
[19:08] - The Bible as Our Strategy Guide
[22:13] - Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics
[23:20] - The Power and Purpose of Fasting
[24:41] - Active Involvement and Practical Support
[26:31] - The Value of Encouragement and Reliability
[29:23] - Sacrifice and the Call to Action
[32:40] - Wrestling with Failure and God’s Faithfulness
[37:23] - Holding Fast to Promises and Praying for the Lost
[40:45] - Intercessory Prayer and Final Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 14:6-7 (ESV) — 6 Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”
7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

Observation Questions

In 1 Samuel 14:6-7, what do you notice about the relationship between Jonathan and his armor bearer? What stands out about the armor bearer’s response?
According to the sermon, what are some of the unseen battles or “tug of war” moments that believers face in life? [[05:11]]
What are some specific roles or tasks in the church that the sermon mentions as important, even if they seem small or behind the scenes? [[12:07]]
What spiritual disciplines are described as “weapons” in our spiritual battles? [[15:01]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the armor bearer was so quick to say, “I am with you, heart and soul,” without asking about the risks or the odds? What does this reveal about trust and loyalty? [[04:19]]
The sermon talks about the enemy whispering lies like “your efforts are unnoticed” or “you’ve failed.” Why do these lies have such power, and how does the Bible help us recognize and resist them? [[13:11]]
How do spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, and fasting actually prepare us for spiritual battles, according to the sermon? [[15:24]]
The sermon mentions that every role in the church matters. Why is it important for everyone to be involved, not just the leaders? [[12:07]]

Application Questions

The armor bearer said, “I am with you, heart and soul.” Is there someone in your life—maybe a leader, a friend, or a fellow church member—who needs to hear that kind of support from you right now? What would it look like to show that level of commitment this week? [[04:19]]
The sermon describes a “spiritual tug of war” and battles we didn’t choose. Can you think of a current struggle in your life that feels like a tug of war? How can you invite God and others into that battle with you? [[05:11]]
Sometimes the enemy tries to convince us that our efforts in church or ministry don’t matter. Have you ever felt like your work was unnoticed or fruitless? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [[13:11]]
The sermon challenges us to practice spiritual disciplines as our weapons. Which one—prayer, Bible reading, or fasting—do you find most challenging? What is one small step you could take this week to grow in that area? [[15:24]]
The message calls us to active participation and sacrifice, not just “sideline support.” Is there a ministry or need in the church that God has put on your heart, but you’ve been waiting for someone else to do it? What’s one action you could take to move forward? [[28:14]]
When discouragement or a sense of failure sets in, the sermon reminds us that “God’s promises remain.” Is there a promise or dream from God that you’ve given up on? What would it look like to start fighting for it again in prayer? [[37:23]]
The sermon ends with a call to pray for the lost and for revival. Who is one person you can pray for this week—someone who is far from God or struggling? How can you practically reach out to them or stand in the gap through prayer? [[40:45]]

Sermon Clips

If you're unsure how to pray or haven't prayed in a while, just start. Just start. It's a conversation between you and God. You start with repentance, whatever it is, whatever God's laid on your heart. Just start. Just start that prayer. Prayer is talking to God about anything and everything. But prayer is like a muscle. You have to keep praying if you want to get better at it. You've got to keep praying. If you want to pray strong and powerful prayers, then start with daily prayer. [00:17:56] (30 seconds) #JustStartPraying

The less you pray, the more you pray for yourself. But the more you pray, the more you pray for others. That's because the more time you spend with someone, the more you become like that person. And so the more time you spend in prayer, the more you find the heart of God. And that's for others. [00:18:33] (22 seconds) #PrayBeyondYourself

When the enemy is twisting God's Word, we combat that by speaking the correct Word of God. And we can't do that if we don't read his Word. So, if the enemy can't get me twisted or messed up by twisting God's Word, then he tries fear, then doubt. And I've learned in my life, when I start to panic about a certain situation or become fearful, that's not God talking to me. Because God is always comforting. He's always saying, trust me. I'm going to work this out. Put your faith in me. [00:22:32] (39 seconds) #CombatWithGodsWord

So there's a call to action, though. In the life of an armor bearer, after all the training, after all the preparation, after doing everything they can to get ready, there's the call to action. There's the call to actually do what they have been training to do. So an armor bearer's call to action is a call to battle, is a call to war. They've prepared themselves. They've got their head in the game. And they're ready. As armor bearers, are we ready? Are we ready to answer the call to action? Are we ready to get out there and reach the lost? Are we prayed up? Are we in line with God's will? Are we ready for that? [00:30:23] (52 seconds) #AnswerTheCallToBattle

But this one promise is one that God gave me when I was little. I was eight when I had that vision. And that promise got me through so many hard times. And I really can't explain why. But it's been so special to me. Because every time I went through a hard, hard season, God would remind me of that vision. As if it was an anchor. That he wanted me to use it as an anchor. To trust him. [00:35:31] (33 seconds) #NeverFailGodWill

And it was so loud, a whisper. You might fail, but I never will. And I spoke that out. And I said, I might fail. but my God never will and he made me a promise and I'm gonna fight for it. [00:37:11] (22 seconds) #RevivalIsComing

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