"The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them." (1 Samuel 17:3, NIV)
Apparently most believed that safety was either on, "one hill," or, "another." The action, however, was in, "the valley between them."
David went into battle with what he had, and Goliath went into battle with what he had. They both took what they were familiar with. Saul, however, thought that what David had was not good enough. Saul was in effect saying, "What you have is okay, but in today's world that won't work. You are going into battle with the best, so you must have the best." Sound familiar?
David was taking into the conflict with Goliath what thousand of Hebrews had, and, they were quite good with-------- stones and a sling. We have done a disservice to children in making the incident of David and Goliath some sort of fairy tale. Of course, the Lord God Who is David's Shepherd, "The Good Shepherd," Jesus, was "with" Him, strengthening him, "helping" him. But there has always been, and I'm afraid there still is, a sense that David was not up to the task, and the stone and sling were of little import. God sort of just punched Goliath in the mouth and ended it. When are church people going to learn a very fundamental principle in the Bible?: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you....." It's the principle that from the very beginning you and I were/are being "formed" by the master Creator into the person Jesus intends us to be, yes, my friend, even before we were "saved." Personality traits, gifts, abilities, we can even say, likes and aptitudes, all go into the process of our "call" in life.
There were thousands on the Israeli Defense Forces that day who could have slain Goliath as easily as did David. The Bible tells us about Jews in the time of the Judges, "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss." Where were such that day on the valley floor? They were cowering in fear. They were living in unbelief, which is for too many, code for disobedience. David was of those who say, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Many who were just standing there in awe and fear of Goliath probably had David's abilities. What they did not have was David's obedience. Yes, our Lord had a purpose here greater than my thoughts today. The purpose was ultimately to make David king of Israel.
But my point is still relevant for you and me today. Stop looking at the "greats," the "heroes" whom people in reality worship and before whom so many stand in awe. Stop standing on that hillside as a spectator and get down there on that valley floor. In Jesus, you too can, "sling a stone at a hair and not miss." Get rid of Saul's armor and go out with what Jesus has given.
Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for the times I have just stood on the mountain and watched what was going on in the valley. Amen.
Apparently most believed that safety was either on, "one hill," or, "another." The action, however, was in, "the valley between them."
David went into battle with what he had, and Goliath went into battle with what he had. They both took what they were familiar with. Saul, however, thought that what David had was not good enough. Saul was in effect saying, "What you have is okay, but in today's world that won't work. You are going into battle with the best, so you must have the best." Sound familiar?
David was taking into the conflict with Goliath what thousand of Hebrews had, and, they were quite good with-------- stones and a sling. We have done a disservice to children in making the incident of David and Goliath some sort of fairy tale. Of course, the Lord God Who is David's Shepherd, "The Good Shepherd," Jesus, was "with" Him, strengthening him, "helping" him. But there has always been, and I'm afraid there still is, a sense that David was not up to the task, and the stone and sling were of little import. God sort of just punched Goliath in the mouth and ended it. When are church people going to learn a very fundamental principle in the Bible?: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you....." It's the principle that from the very beginning you and I were/are being "formed" by the master Creator into the person Jesus intends us to be, yes, my friend, even before we were "saved." Personality traits, gifts, abilities, we can even say, likes and aptitudes, all go into the process of our "call" in life.
There were thousands on the Israeli Defense Forces that day who could have slain Goliath as easily as did David. The Bible tells us about Jews in the time of the Judges, "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss." Where were such that day on the valley floor? They were cowering in fear. They were living in unbelief, which is for too many, code for disobedience. David was of those who say, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Many who were just standing there in awe and fear of Goliath probably had David's abilities. What they did not have was David's obedience. Yes, our Lord had a purpose here greater than my thoughts today. The purpose was ultimately to make David king of Israel.
But my point is still relevant for you and me today. Stop looking at the "greats," the "heroes" whom people in reality worship and before whom so many stand in awe. Stop standing on that hillside as a spectator and get down there on that valley floor. In Jesus, you too can, "sling a stone at a hair and not miss." Get rid of Saul's armor and go out with what Jesus has given.
Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for the times I have just stood on the mountain and watched what was going on in the valley. Amen.
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
