CUTTING OUR GIANTS DOWN TO SIZE
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war… Saul and the Israelites assembled…to meet the Philistines... A champion named GOLIATH…came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze…and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels… (33 lbs.) Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified (1 Sam. 17:1-11).
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him… Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Sam 17:32-37).
*****************************************************************************************
I have always been impressed by this account of young David’s faith and courage. Among other things, it illustrates the difference that “perspective” can make. King Saul and his army were frightened because they focused entirely on the fearsome, strutting giant. David, on the other hand, chose to focus on Jehovah’s presence and strength. That being the case, he saw Goliath merely as a bragging bully. It is no wonder that David had no qualms about fighting Goliath.
In this world we occasionally encounter “giants” of our own – temptation, serious illness, pain, set-backs, and challenges at home, work or school. Although such difficulties may appear overwhelming, we must learn to see them from David’s perspective – with God on our side. Doing so will cut these “giants” down to size, enabling us to confront and eventually overcome them by God’s mighty hand.
The Lord assured the apostle Paul, "Do not be afraid…for I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10). These words still apply to faithful Christians today.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war… Saul and the Israelites assembled…to meet the Philistines... A champion named GOLIATH…came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze…and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels… (33 lbs.) Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified (1 Sam. 17:1-11).
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him… Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Sam 17:32-37).
*****************************************************************************************
I have always been impressed by this account of young David’s faith and courage. Among other things, it illustrates the difference that “perspective” can make. King Saul and his army were frightened because they focused entirely on the fearsome, strutting giant. David, on the other hand, chose to focus on Jehovah’s presence and strength. That being the case, he saw Goliath merely as a bragging bully. It is no wonder that David had no qualms about fighting Goliath.
In this world we occasionally encounter “giants” of our own – temptation, serious illness, pain, set-backs, and challenges at home, work or school. Although such difficulties may appear overwhelming, we must learn to see them from David’s perspective – with God on our side. Doing so will cut these “giants” down to size, enabling us to confront and eventually overcome them by God’s mighty hand.
The Lord assured the apostle Paul, "Do not be afraid…for I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10). These words still apply to faithful Christians today.
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
RSS Feed