S)"46 This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands."
1 Samuel 17:46-47 (NASB)
O) First of all, graphic much? Wow, I don't remember the Sunday school version mentioning decapitation and wild animals eating dead Philistines... anyway, the main point is David's reasoning. He says specifically that the victory will be to show the world that the LORD is the God of Israel and that He is alive and mighty and unrestrained. Similar to the verse when Jonathan says God's deliverence is not limited by by numbers, here David points out that the weapons we carry don't matter; if God is for us, no one can be against us. Specifically, though, David wanted to glorify the name of the LORD to all of the earth.
A) It's interesting to me how quickly things become cliche and I wonder about the David and Goliath story. That phrase in today's world has so much become synonymous with overcoming great odds, being the little guy and prevailing, and it's so quickly used in sports especially, that I wonder how long it took for this story to be robbed of it's point. God said, through Samuel, that David was a man after God's own heart and I believe that had everything to do with his heart of worship and his desire to praise Him. So, even something so brave and heroic as fighting a man who was nearly twice as tall as him, David saw it as no kind of challenge. He knew that it was an opportunity to glorify the LORD and as such, it was simply inspiring him to do his part in that story. In my own life, I need to see every challenge, every set-back, every trial and scary moment, simply as an opportunity to glorify the LORD. I need to boldly declare that the battle belongs to the LORD, so that all the earth will know that there is a God in my life.
P) Father, I don't know what kind of Goliath-type foes I have to face in my future, but I stand firm right now, knowing that those battles before me belong to You. I declare now, that my victory will not depend on my own abilities, my own skills, my own tools or resources. I will be victorious for one reason and one reason only: because You are mighty to save! Holy Spirit, I always want to choose my battles wisely, but I never want to avoid conflict because of fear or intimidation. When I see a challenge, however that may look, speak to me and let me see it through Your eyes, so I will know the kind of spiritual implications may be at stake. Thank You for fighting on my behalf, LORD, and may Your name be known among the nations as the one true living God. Be glorified through my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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