"The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them."
I read this story yesterday. The scene was kind of pathetic warfare really. The two armies had been coming out every day for a couple of months just shouting, displaying bravado, then going back to their respective camps, having dinner and going to bed. At some point Goliath appeared and challenged the Hebrews to produce a man to fight him and settle the whole thing. Nobody took the challenge, that is, until David showed up one day delivering food and other supplies to his brothers. The text says that on that day, "David heard it," heard the mocking of the Philistine giant.
Every time I read this chapter I am reminded that David was not some kind of "hero," though most of religious tradition paints him in such light. The "simple" truth in it all is that David was a young boy who was obviously very good with a sling------------- and "good at" absolute trust and confidence in his Shepherd, Jesus. But one must never forget that David did not defeat the Philistines by himself. He just said by demonstration, "Common, boys; we can do this." Once David began the process of "hero destruction," the rest of the Israeli Army took off after the enemy and routed them. If you read the Bible, you discover that there were many in Israel who could handle a sling just as well as David. Hundreds were described in an earlier passage as those who, "could sling a stone at a hair and not miss"! Where were they on that momentous day in Jewish History?!? The only difference that day was David did something with that ancient Mid East ability. He surrendered that "talent" in absolute trust and confidence in the Living Triune God, and won the victory. The same option in life awaits you and me.
People love to look for heroes everywhere, whether in the Bible, politics, sports, other entertainment, etc. It is correctly called "hero worship." It is a religion which puts the hero in a godlike position and the worshiper in a, well, worship mode. A big problem with hero worship is that it keeps the worshiper from doing anything close to what the hero does. The worshiper just sits back and, again, worships. This is why Christendom today has produced so many "heroes." Most professing Christians believe they cannot, so they will not. Instead, they make a few in Christendom very, very wealthy by going to their churches, their conferences, buying their books, etc., because all they then have to do is talk "faith," but do nothing.
This is not the Faith to which you and I have been called. Jesus says to any who would hear, "Follow Me." If people would follow Jesus rather than "heroes," many more "philistines" would be defeated. You have a talent which many have not encouraged in you; doesn't matter. "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me," means that you and I can do anything in which Jesus has called us to, "Follow Me."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for that, "more grace," of which your Word speaks, to do what I may think only someone else can do. Amen.
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If you want a good "review" on the latest Hollywood film, "Noah," go to: jhs58.blogspot.com
Beware: It is not what you think.
I read this story yesterday. The scene was kind of pathetic warfare really. The two armies had been coming out every day for a couple of months just shouting, displaying bravado, then going back to their respective camps, having dinner and going to bed. At some point Goliath appeared and challenged the Hebrews to produce a man to fight him and settle the whole thing. Nobody took the challenge, that is, until David showed up one day delivering food and other supplies to his brothers. The text says that on that day, "David heard it," heard the mocking of the Philistine giant.
Every time I read this chapter I am reminded that David was not some kind of "hero," though most of religious tradition paints him in such light. The "simple" truth in it all is that David was a young boy who was obviously very good with a sling------------- and "good at" absolute trust and confidence in his Shepherd, Jesus. But one must never forget that David did not defeat the Philistines by himself. He just said by demonstration, "Common, boys; we can do this." Once David began the process of "hero destruction," the rest of the Israeli Army took off after the enemy and routed them. If you read the Bible, you discover that there were many in Israel who could handle a sling just as well as David. Hundreds were described in an earlier passage as those who, "could sling a stone at a hair and not miss"! Where were they on that momentous day in Jewish History?!? The only difference that day was David did something with that ancient Mid East ability. He surrendered that "talent" in absolute trust and confidence in the Living Triune God, and won the victory. The same option in life awaits you and me.
People love to look for heroes everywhere, whether in the Bible, politics, sports, other entertainment, etc. It is correctly called "hero worship." It is a religion which puts the hero in a godlike position and the worshiper in a, well, worship mode. A big problem with hero worship is that it keeps the worshiper from doing anything close to what the hero does. The worshiper just sits back and, again, worships. This is why Christendom today has produced so many "heroes." Most professing Christians believe they cannot, so they will not. Instead, they make a few in Christendom very, very wealthy by going to their churches, their conferences, buying their books, etc., because all they then have to do is talk "faith," but do nothing.
This is not the Faith to which you and I have been called. Jesus says to any who would hear, "Follow Me." If people would follow Jesus rather than "heroes," many more "philistines" would be defeated. You have a talent which many have not encouraged in you; doesn't matter. "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me," means that you and I can do anything in which Jesus has called us to, "Follow Me."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for that, "more grace," of which your Word speaks, to do what I may think only someone else can do. Amen.
If you want a good "review" on the latest Hollywood film, "Noah," go to: jhs58.blogspot.com
Beware: It is not what you think.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
