Only a Boy Named David

We’ve all sung the song.  We’ve all heard the story.  We’ve all been inspired by a little guy taking on the big guy and winning. Ok Pastor Don, we know the story.  Why look at it again?  Why waste the time?  Sure, we know the story, but have we gotten the point of the story?  Have we applied it to our lives as we struggle against the giants in our lives? Go back and re-read the story in 1Sam. 17.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.

What an amazing story!  David, sent out by his father to take supplies to his brothers, is simply going about his daily life when he meets the giant.  Goliath was huge.  The bible says that he was a cubit and a span tall.  A cubit is 18 inches and a span is 9 inches, so that would make Goliath 9’9” tall.    And check out his equipment.  Look at Verse 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; (about 126 lbs)  V.6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.   7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, (between 30-50 lbs) and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. (about 15 lbs)  Goliath is wearing or carrying over 200 lbs of armor and weaponry.  And he has a guy with him who’s only job is to carry his shield.

Not only was Goliath huge, but he had an attitude!  And I’ve met people today that still carry the same attitude. Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me.   9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us."   10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other."  

It’s the bully syndrome.  I’m bigger and might makes right.  Come and see if you can do anything about it.  It’s one of the first lessons we learn in the schoolyard.  If you’re a runt, watch out.  And the Israelites had the same reaction that I had whenever the schoolyard bullies came around.  I would try to run and hide.  At the very least, I grew afraid and uncomfortable.

David is going about his duties and greeting his brothers, when the giant enters his life.  He didn’t get up that morning and say, “Hey, think I’ll go kill a giant today.”  His only thought was to do what his father had asked him to do.  But when he gets there, here’s Goliath.  And Goliath has an attitude.  It’s a Yo Mama attitude.  Or closer,  a Yo Daddy attitude. Yo Daddy, yo God, is so weak he can’t even stand up against me.  Yo Daddy is a loser.  If ya’ll are so tough, somebody come on out and do the deed!  Come on, let’s see what you got! And the attitude didn’t sit well with David.

So here he is, just seeking to be faithful to his father’s calling, and now there’s a giant with an attitude.  Ever had one of those days?  When you’re just trying to be faithful and do what your Father asks you to do, and before you know it, you’re smack up against a giant with an attitude.

Pretty intimidating, isn’t it?  Before you know what’s happening, some big, giant, hairy problem is all over you with attitude.  And your first reaction is just like the armies of Israel.  Run, hide and tremble in fear.  Sit there behind your tent and wish that someone would do something to take care of this thing.  Just make it go away.

Why is it when we can’t figure out a solution ourselves, that we just sit and hope the problem goes away?  How is it that we can sit and pine over the problem for days and weeks, anxious and worried about it, but stuck, unable to do anything about it?  It looms large and we feel overwhelmed.  No blows have been exchanged—only words, or ideas.

It’s in times like that when faith gives way to fear, and fear has its way with us.  We let it run rampant in our souls, a giant that keeps us intimidated and paralyzed in our spiritual walk.  We cower in the corner listening to the taunts of  giant fear inside our souls as the icy fingers of dread wrap themselves around the core of our being and begin to choke the life and even the will to live right out of us.  Ahhh, Maybe that’s why we need this story.

We’re the little guy.  Problems, fears, anxieties, issues…those are the giants.  What would God have us do with the giants.  Go back in the story and look at David. 44  "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"   There’s the giant talking.   It’s enough to intimidate any of us.  Come here and I’ll rip you up!  Come here and I’ll finish you.  And while the rest of the army hides, David has a response. 

Check out v. 45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.   46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.   47 All 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."  

Do you see the response?  Turn to those fears, those anxieties, those issues and in the name of Jesus confront them.  Say, “this day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down.  For the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.

Notice something.  David relied on the Lord, but he still had to go out to meet the giant.  Some people feel they can’t do anything unless they are rescued.  You still have to pick up the rocks.  You have to put in your time.

David had put in hours practicing with the sling.  The sling was considered a weapon of war.  In their conflict with Israel, the Benjamites, mustered on one occasion, according to Judges 20:16 “seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”  It was an instrument of war…but they had to put their time in to be effective.  David had spent hours practicing, so that he knew how to use his weapon.  He trusted God, but he still picked up and used a stone.

God wants us to trust Him, but in order to have the faith that we need, we have to put in the time.  Our best weapon in spiritual warfare is the word of God.  The only way to win is to recognize that the battle belongs to the Lord, and launch the rock of His promises.  His promises can turn fear back to faith, anxiety to trust, and uncertainty to a calm assurance. 

2 Peter 1:3-83 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.   4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.   5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;   6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;   7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.   8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We can be victorious too, but we have to put in the time.  We have to practice.  And as the test come, we can learn to meet each one with faith.  And each test passed takes us up to a greater challenge. The lion, the bear and then the giant.

And with that experience under your belt you can begin to meet whatever challenges you face with a renewed faith and trust.  Giants are there to get our attention, but God never intended that they stop us.  He only wants us to refocus on Him and what He wants to do for us.  That’s truly a reality.

Whether it be in our personal lives, or our corporate life as a church, God wants us to face the giants, recognizing that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s.  And that’s reality.

Reality check here my friend.  What are you turning back from in discouragement and defeat that you should be meeting in faith with the promises of God? Where are you talking discouragement and impossibility when you should be quoting, “For with God all things are possible.”?   What has you cowering in a corner today?

Stand up.  Go out in faith, and with God’s help, kill the giant. 

I Am A Soldier

I was reading an old book the other day about the Huguenots, the Waldensians and others that tried to remain true to the commands of God during the Dark Ages, and the contrast  between them and us is absolutely incredible. 

Thousands died cruel deaths; burned at the stake, hurled over cliffs, hung up with meat hooks, starved in prison, and yet very few, if any, turned back from following God. 

Yet today, it seems the slightest thing can turn many of us back from following Jesus.  Our feelings get hurt, so we quit.   Our leadership gets criticized, so we quit.  A pastor doesn’t come visit us at the right time, so we quit.   We don’t want to get involved, so we don’t.   We are afraid to make our neighbor uncomfortable, so we don’t share.  Church doesn't suit our tastes, so we stop attending.  At the slightest hint of resistance, we turn back.  Could it be that the worst enemy the church has is prosperity?

I mentioned this to a friend in another state, and he sent me this piece which I think needs to be our rallying cry.  Read it and see where you stand.  It is entitled, I am a Soldier.

I am a soldier.

I am a soldier in the army of my God;

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.

Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by

adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army and I have enlisted for eternity

I will either retire from this army at the Second Coming or die in this

army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

If He needs me in Sabbath School to teach children, work with youth,

help with adults or just sit and learn, He can use me, because I am there.

If He needs me in church Sabbath morning, Vespers, Wednesday, revival or

special services, I am there.

I am there to preach, teach, sing, play, pray, work or worship.

God can use me because I am there.

I am a Soldier. I am not a baby.

I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or

pepped up.

I am a Soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me,

entice me or lure me.

I am a Soldier. I am not a wimp.

I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name

and serving in His Kingdom.

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me

handouts.

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to.

I am a Soldier, and I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt badly enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.

I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit,

When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing,

And if I end up with nothing I will still break even.

I am a Soldier, I am committed, I will win.

My God will supply all my needs.

I am more than a conqueror, I will always triumph.

I can do all things through Christ .

Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot

weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy

me. Governments cannot silence me and Hell cannot handle me.

I am a soldier. I am committed. Even death cannot destroy me.

When my Commander calls me from this battlefield He will promote me and

then bring me back to rule this world with Him.

I am a Soldier in the army and I am marching, claiming victory.

I will not give up, I will not turn around. I am a Soldier marching Heavenbound.

I am a Soldier. Will you stand with me?

If God is in it, you can do it.

2Tim. 2:3    Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

2Tim. 2:14     Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

2Tim. 2:15    Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.  16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.  17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer.

Reason to Hope

It’s amazing how one phone call or one conversation or one piece of information can suddenly plunge us into our own world of darkness.  You know what I mean. “There’s been a terrible accident.”  “I hate to tell you this, but your tests came back positive.  You have cancer.  There’s not much we can do.”  “Your mommy and I just can’t live together anymore.”  We hear those words and our world goes dark.  The birds may be singing and sun may be shining, but it’s raining on the inside.  The storm clouds have moved in and the thunder and lightning in your soul drown out just about everything else.  Ever since sin entered into this world, life has become full of those moments. 

We can’t escape them.  We can try to pretend that they aren’t there and that nothing is wrong, but it doesn’t make it so.  We can deny and act as though we are fine, but our soul is in solitary confinement with the light shut out.  Where do we find the hope in a time like that?  Where is our one blade of grass on those days?  How do we go on when we don’t even want to?  What is our reason to hope?

And as long as you have hope, you can’t be defeated.  I’m not talking about unrealistic denial of the facts.  I’m not talking about hoping for what can never be.  I’m talking about a realistic trust in the Lord; a looking to Him for your stability in the midst of your storm.  A confidence that no matter what happens, He will see you through.  When you have that hope within you, no one can take it away, no matter what they do to you.  And you will, yourself, be a source of hope to those around you.

Anthony de Mello in his book The Heart of the Enlightened, page 19 writes:

Once upon a time in a concentration camp there lived a prisoner who, even though he was under sentence of execution, was fearless and free.  One day he was seen in the middle of the prison square playing his guitar.  A large crowd gathered to listen, for under the spell of his music, they became as fearless as he.  When the prison authorities saw this, they forbade the man to play.

But the next day there he was again, singing and playing on his guitar with a larger crowd around him.  The guards angrily dragged him away and had his fingers chopped off. 

Next day he was back again, singing and making what music he could with his bleeding fingers.  This time the crowds were cheering.  The guards dragged him away again and smashed his guitar.

The following day he was singing with all his heart.  What a song!  So pure and uplifting!  The crowd joined in, and while the singing lasted, their hearts became as pure as his and their spirits were invincible.  So angry were the guards this time that they had his tongue torn out.  A hush descended on the camp, a something that was deathless.

To the astonishment of everyone, he was back in his place the next day swaying and dancing to a silent music that no one but he could hear.  And soon everyone was holding hands and dancing around this bleeding, broken figure in the center while the guards stood rooted to the ground in wonder.

Two thousand years ago, thinking to silence hope, the devil looked at the Singer of life and love said, “Destroy this One, and we destroy any hope that humanity ever thought of having!”  And he did his best.  Satan used one of Jesus’ friends to betray Him.  The mob took Him. They spit on Him; pulled out His beard, beat Him until He was almost dead.  Then forced Him to carry his cross up a rugged hill, and there, they crucified Him. 

“That should do it!” Satan beamed.  And for a while, it looked like it would work.  The disciple’s world caved in.  They locked themselves into a room for fear of the Jews.  It was as if a hush descended on the camp, a something that was deathless.

All seemed bleak.  Hopeless.  Dark.  But then someone found the crack in the concrete.  A small hole with a single blade of grass hope.  “Hey, I wonder if it’s really true?” “What’s that?”  “Well, you know, what He said about the third day.”

It seemed hopeless to all, but to the astonishment of everyone, on the third day, Jesus was back in His spot once again singing hope.

Scripture tells us in Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  That’s hope.

Psa. 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Lam. 3:25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

Rom. 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I don’t know what dark cell you may be in this morning.  I don’t know what is darkening your sky…But I do know there’s hope.  I have no idea where you are in your walk with Jesus, but let me just say: That’s where your hope lies.  That’s where you will find it.  It may only be a blade of grass hope to start with, but He promises to give you a hope and a future.

You can go on.  You can make it, because He did.  You have an assurance of tomorrow because He’s provided it for you.  He’s still in His place singing His song of hope.  It may seem silent in your soul…but if you look closer, you might just see Him dancing and swaying in place to a music that can’t be conquered.  A music, that in the face of all odds can bring you hope.  A music that He longs to bring to your soul.  Because He did all that for you, He can bring you hope.  Open up your heart and receive it.  Look out from the darkness of your soul and see the color once again, no matter what you are facing.  It may be only a small wisp of fresh air and a view revealing that small blade of green grass, but that still signals there’s hope.  And Jesus is holding it out to you.  Reach out and take it. Take it and let Him put the music back in your soul.  And then turn to your neighbor, turn to your family, turn to any the Lord brings across your path and share that hope with them.  Be in your spot, singing hope to a world that so badly needs it.