1 Samuel 17: Giant SlayerAll those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.
David spends the better part of a decade trying to escape the wrath of King Saul, and much of Saul's enmity probably traces back to this one scene. Saul, leader of a large army, sits in his tent, terrorized by the taunts of the colossal Goliath. The terror he evokes demoralizes the entire Israelite army. Meanwhile, David, a mere boy too small for a suit of armor, strides out bravely to meet Goliath's challenge. Little wonder Saul comes to resent and fear the remarkable David.
The scenario related here is not as far-fetched as it may seem. "Single combat" or "representative warfare" was an acceptable way of settling differences in ancient times. Champions from each side would fight, and the results of their combat would determine the battle's result.
During his many lonely hours as a shepherd boy, David hones his slingshot skills to a state of perfection. But he takes no personal credit for this victory. "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin," he shouts to Goliath, "but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (17:45). His confidence in God matches Goliath's scorn. And in the tradition of Joshua and Gideon, David places complete trust in God alone- a lesson that King Saul, tragically, never learns.
Once Goliath falls, the rest of the Philistines quickly succumb. The nation is beginning to recognize in David the qualities that mark him for a potential kingship. Saul, however, is not about to relinquish this throne without a fight.
Life Question: Have you/ are you facing any great fear or danger about which God is telling you to rely utterly on him?
Well, I'm kinda getting nervous about the Tribe's pennant chances as of late. Seriously, though, I suppose I have my doubts with my new position here at school. I had reached a real comfort level in the classroom, and this Admissions job is so incredibly different. But, like David, I have to simply trust God that He'll provide me with the guidance to perform well and the courage to face the adversities and challenges that I'll invariably encounter.
1 comment:
I have been through an event of such magnitude that it completly changed my way of thinking about even what faith in Christ is about. Through this situation in which a lifetime of work was wiped out and a financial restart at age 50 began; fear ruled my life for some time. If it were possible to loose faith I would have done it. The storms of life are always fearful in the midst of them, but they also bring life-lessons and surprise-blessings. The process is slow work and solutions do not magically appear. The Lord has gifted us with eternal life to be lived abundantly in our Saviour's presence. The miracle of Salvation is God's Gift that makes all circumstances pale in comparison!
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