June 29, 2010
The Philistines were challenging the Israelites in the land that belonged to Israel, the land of Judah. They were in your face arrogant and defiant. They were trying to take from the Israelites what God had given them. For forty days, there was a standoff. For forty days, Goliath would come out and shout insults against them.
Jesse sends David (who Samuel had already appointed as king, but was still a shepherd in the fields and a servant to Saul whenever he wanted him to play the harp), to check on his brothers. David hears the insults of Goliath and asks what will be done for the man who stops this man from shaming Israel. David says, "Who does he (Goliath) think he is? Does he think he can speak against the armies of the living God?" David's brothers overhear David's questions and they criticize and make fun of him. "Why did you come here? Who's taking care of those few sheep of yours? I know you are proud and wicked at heart. You came down here just to watch the battle."
Really? Prideful and wicked at heart? I love David's response. I remember feeling these exact same thoughts when "the storm" hit. "Now what have I done wrong? Can't I even talk?" This was obviously not the first time his brother had belittled him or falsely accused him. David's brother had been jealous and angry at David for some time. I'm sure he was angry at David for being appointed King instead of himself. He was the very thing he accused David of—prideful and wicked at heart.
Funny how that works. What people accuse you of is often what they are.
David tells Saul he will fight Goliath. Talk about lop-sided! Giant—verses—Boy. Skilled warrior—verses—Shepherd. From outward appearances David didn't stand a chance. But David knew what the others didn't understand. This was God's battle.The Philistines had spoken against the "armies of the living God."
Saul tried to outfit David in his armor, but David says no. He took his sling and five smooth stones and headed out. There was no plan "B." Either God shows up and gives David the victory or he fails. Goliath "looked down on David with disgust" and makes fun of him. I love David's answer. "You came to me using a sword and two spears. But I come to you in the name of the LORD, All-Powerful. You have spoken against him! Today the LORD will hand you over. Today you will be defeated. THEN all will know there is a God. It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. The battle is the LORD's and He will hand you over to us!"
David ran to meet Goliath, slung the stone, and killed Goliath with one stone. No swords. No shields.
God doesn't call us to a spirit of timidity. It takes faith and courage! Not in ourselves but in God. We may feel all alone in the battle, BUT we are part of "the armies" of God. "The storm" is not our battle to win. It is the LORD's.
Proverbs 21:30–31 - "There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the LORD. You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives the victory."
No plan "B." We are facing "the storm" secure in the LORD and His army. It is HIS battle.
Next Entry: I Samuel 18:1 – 20:42
The Philistines were challenging the Israelites in the land that belonged to Israel, the land of Judah. They were in your face arrogant and defiant. They were trying to take from the Israelites what God had given them. For forty days, there was a standoff. For forty days, Goliath would come out and shout insults against them.
Jesse sends David (who Samuel had already appointed as king, but was still a shepherd in the fields and a servant to Saul whenever he wanted him to play the harp), to check on his brothers. David hears the insults of Goliath and asks what will be done for the man who stops this man from shaming Israel. David says, "Who does he (Goliath) think he is? Does he think he can speak against the armies of the living God?" David's brothers overhear David's questions and they criticize and make fun of him. "Why did you come here? Who's taking care of those few sheep of yours? I know you are proud and wicked at heart. You came down here just to watch the battle."
Really? Prideful and wicked at heart? I love David's response. I remember feeling these exact same thoughts when "the storm" hit. "Now what have I done wrong? Can't I even talk?" This was obviously not the first time his brother had belittled him or falsely accused him. David's brother had been jealous and angry at David for some time. I'm sure he was angry at David for being appointed King instead of himself. He was the very thing he accused David of—prideful and wicked at heart.
Funny how that works. What people accuse you of is often what they are.
David tells Saul he will fight Goliath. Talk about lop-sided! Giant—verses—Boy. Skilled warrior—verses—Shepherd. From outward appearances David didn't stand a chance. But David knew what the others didn't understand. This was God's battle.The Philistines had spoken against the "armies of the living God."
Saul tried to outfit David in his armor, but David says no. He took his sling and five smooth stones and headed out. There was no plan "B." Either God shows up and gives David the victory or he fails. Goliath "looked down on David with disgust" and makes fun of him. I love David's answer. "You came to me using a sword and two spears. But I come to you in the name of the LORD, All-Powerful. You have spoken against him! Today the LORD will hand you over. Today you will be defeated. THEN all will know there is a God. It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. The battle is the LORD's and He will hand you over to us!"
David ran to meet Goliath, slung the stone, and killed Goliath with one stone. No swords. No shields.
God doesn't call us to a spirit of timidity. It takes faith and courage! Not in ourselves but in God. We may feel all alone in the battle, BUT we are part of "the armies" of God. "The storm" is not our battle to win. It is the LORD's.
Proverbs 21:30–31 - "There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the LORD. You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives the victory."
No plan "B." We are facing "the storm" secure in the LORD and His army. It is HIS battle.
Next Entry: I Samuel 18:1 – 20:42
No comments:
Post a Comment