1 Samuel 16-18
God sends Samuel to find a replacement king in Chapter 16. He sends him to the home of a man named Jesse. When Samuel arrives he sees Jesse's son, Eliab, and assumes he must be the one.
But God tells him (vs7)
"Dont judge by his appearance or height for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make desisions the way you do! People judge by outward apprearance but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions." (Love that verse! I think every woman should have this posted to their bedroom mirrors....)
It turns out Jesse's youngest, (David) a shephard boy, is the one. He's "brave and strong, good judgement, a fine looking man! He can play the harp and (best of all) the Lord is with him."
Side note: It just so happened that King Saul was looking for a harp player to help with his depression. Coinsidence? I think not.
Now, the next few chapters deliver a familiar story about young David killing a giant named Goliath. Along with Daniel in the lion's den, this tale's got to be the sitting at the top of the "bible story charts". I've heard it so many times, beginning waaay back in the days my Sunday school teacher used to act it out with felt characters and it's been the topic of many sermons, devotions and songs.
But it's so much more than a story. It's courage. It's deliverence. Most of all it's a humble man giving all the glory to God.
It should be stated that the Isrealites were completely terrified - including the king and his army! These are strong men that have fought, and won, many battles in the past.
However, young David can't believe Goliath has the nerve to defy the army of the living God! He instructs Saul "not to worry about a thing".
He informs King Saul that the same God that saves him from the lions and bears while caring for his sheep will protect him with this giant.
So humble!
Instead of bragging about clubbing a lion to death he recognizes that it's God that has come to his rescue.
...and he believes God will do it again. He completely trusts God. In fact, he refuses to wear armour.
The best part is that David isn't going to battle for fame and glory - he announces that "God is going to conquer their enemy and the whole world will know there is a God in Israel!"
At the end of the day (after squashing the enemy) he gives credit where credit is due, saying "the battle is HIS, not ours!"
It's so true. We go about life with all these daily battles, that we were never meant to fight alone. Jesus didn't suffer so we would wake up every morning terrified to face a new Goliath.
We try to change people in our life that "need" changin'. I just need to tell that person everytime they do something wrong...otherwise they won't know!
We curse ourselves every time we give in to "that" tempatation, whether it be food, lust, gossip...
We claim it's going to be a bad day before we even get out of bed! Ugh...I have that boring meeting today, this day is going to be the worst day ever!
Whether our "Goliath's" are habits we need to overcome, difficult people in our lives, sickness and disease or perhaps even terrible loss...and how dare we let it defy the living God!
The battles is HIS! He'll come to our rescue every time.
"Cast ALL your anxieties on Him, becuase He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"Don't be afraid! Just stand where you are and let the Lord rescue you." (Ex 14:13)
From this day foward instead of seeing only giants when I open my eyes I will choose to "let the morning bring me word of His unfailing love, for I will put my trust in Him." (Psalm 143:8)
Goliath?? Oh yeah, that big guy that falls really hard.
I say, bring him on!
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