Trusting the Lord of Breakthroughs

The Bible provides many different names to describe the Lord. He is our righteousness…our healer…our provider…our victory…and much more.

But one of my favorite names of God is “the Lord of Breakthroughs” or “the Lord who bursts through” (1 Chronicles 14:10-11 NLT). No one else in Heaven or on earth can claim a powerful title such as this.

What does this mean if you’re seeking a breakthrough in some area of your life today? It means there’s only one place you need to look for your answer. Why? Because the closer you get to God, the closer you will be to your breakthrough.

Although this is such a simple truth, it is often overlooked. I meet so many people who are frantically seeking a breakthrough of some kind without first seeking the Lord. They need a turnaround in their finances, their health, their family, or their emotions, but they’re seeking the breakthrough by their own strength and ingenuity. This approach nearly always results in frustration—not because God is unwilling to give the person a breakthrough, but because He wants them to receive it from HIM.

King David and other Biblical heroes discovered that God was their source of every blessing and breakthrough. As a shepherd, David understood that sheep cannot survive very long on their own—they need a shepherd, both to lead them to provision and to rescue them from danger. That’s why he joyfully proclaimed, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

Draw Near to Him

Today the Lord of Breakthroughs is beckoning you to draw near to Him. When you do, He promises to also draw near to you: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). And when you come boldly to His throne, He says you will “find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

What resources do you need from Heaven today? More love? More power? More peace? More provision? You can receive all of these things—and much more—when you draw near to the Lord of Breakthroughs.

However, the Bible also teaches that breakthroughs seldom come without a battle. In fact, the word “breakthrough” was first used as a military term to signify an offensive thrust past the defensive lines of warfare. The word entered the realm of common speech during the technological age, often used to describe a sudden discovery or invention.

God is first revealed in the Bible as the Lord of Breakthroughs in a military context involving King David. Years earlier, he had conquered the Philistine giant Goliath. But later he was preparing for battle again, facing the Philistine army not far from the site of his famous encounter with the giant.

This time, the Philistines waged their attack in the Valley of Rephaim, which means “the Valley of Giants” or “the Valley of Trouble.” Recognizing his need for God’s guidance and favor, David paused to pray, asking God for His marching orders:

David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.” So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “God did it!” David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So they named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”) (1 Chronicles 14:10-11 NLT).

The Philistines abandoned their gods and fled, but they returned again to raid the valley one more time. Even with the memory of the first victory still fresh in his mind, David prayed again and listened for the Lord’s strategy:

Once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.”

So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David (1 Chronicles 14:14-17 NLT).

Notice that David did several crucial things here: He actively sought God’s instructions…he listened for what the Lord would say to him…and then “David DID what God commanded.” And it’s a good thing David was listening, for God’s strategy this time required a very different approach than before.

Exiting Your “Valley of Trouble”

As you seek the Lord of Breakthroughs and obey His instructions, your “Valley of Trouble” can become the very place where you have a fresh encounter with the One “who always leads us in triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14). He will not only give you new strategies, but He will ALSO give you new strength to carry out those strategies (Isaiah 40:31).

Friend, don’t despair if your victory doesn’t come right away, nor be discouraged if you encounter a difficult battle before your breakthrough. And if you’re struggling to shake off the memories of past failures, remember what God’s Word says: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV).

When you fully surrender your life to the Lord of Breakthroughs, He will fight your battles. No matter how far, or how often, you may have fallen, He will lift you up and give you victory!