Category: David

40 Days with Goliath - Final

7/1/2021

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

1 Samuel 17:40-54

This week we took our fluffy, white puppy to a geology camp with our kids. They got to learn about dinosaurs, handle real fossils and petrified dinosaur eggs, be awed by a plethora of fluorescent rocks, and dig in the dirt to find their own fossils.
The owners of the camp had three large Great Pyranees, who nightly scouted their 180+ acre farm in the desert of Washington for grizzlies, wolves and cougars who regularly frequented the ranch. Last fall, their pyranees had attacked and treed a cougar on the property.
During the day, as we watched from a distance, our small bundle of fluff, about the size of an Australian Terrier, would crawl on her belly toward these giant dogs. Her nose running along the ground, she would inch and pause, inch and pause, positioning herself as close as she dared to them. As soon as she reached them, she would flip her belly into the air, pleading for their mercy, and then snuggle up close for their protection.
Bedtime, however, was another story! As we would settle in for the night, spanning the length of a log bunkhouse with our kids, we would give our dog her food next to her crate on the porch. Next to us, she had all kinds of courage. In her mind, though not in mine, we were much more powerful than these pyranees! As the other dogs would advance, tails wagging, to check out the smell from her dog bowl, she would bristle, bark, and growl at them. It was hilarious to watch her challenge them from the vantage of the porch, with her family behind her!
As I watched her take courage based on her faith in our abilities, it reminded me of little David's courage as he fought Goliath. A courageous faith, that, unlike our dog's, was not misplaced.
In Part 1, we studied the place and stance of our fight, and who our Goliaths are. In Part 2, we looked at some of the first problems David encountered before he even had to stand up to his Goliath, and how he rooted himself firmly in his identity and future. In Part 3, we focused on how David negotiated closed doors, discrimination, and how to maintain an effective defense in a new battle situation. Today, I want to dig in to the Covenant relationship we have with God, how to gather our resources, estimate the cost, and how to turn the enemy's weapons against himself!

COVENANT
Let's declare our loyalty and love for God above all!

Goliath appeared “morning and evening,” when the Shema was to be declared. The Shema was Israel's affirmation of faith in God as their Covenant King--the Covenant authority Goliath was trying to replace by usurpation:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord [YHWH\ our God [Elohim, plural for God\, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deut. 6:4-7 NKJV

God's people were commanded to declare vocally that the Lord was their God, in all of His triune, plural Godhead. They were to declare the command to love God with everything that was in them. Morning and evening, they were to rise and make these declarations over their lives and that of their families and nation. It was and is the quintessential statement of their faith in God.
It was their enemy's goal to make Israel, God's people, omit this affirmation of faith and to transfer their faith and obedience to his mastery over them.
Our enemy wants to take God's place in our lives in order to imprison and destroy us. It has been his goal from the very beginning, when he challenged the Godhead! (Isa. 14:12-21)
But God has not left us without resources.

COMPILE
Let's gather what we need!

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself
five smooth stones from the brook,
and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had,
and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Sam. 17:40

As a shepherd, these are the typical things David would have already been using regularly. David gathered his staff, his bag, and his sling. The staff he brought to the fight would have been a smaller, blunt, club-like stick. This stick was different than the rod, or shepherd's crook, that he would have used to guide, discipline and rescue the sheep. This particular staff would have been what David used to beat away predators, wild dogs, lions, and bears. The sling would be slung with a stone at a predator from more distance: efficient and deadly.
God wants us to be resourceful. While He is the God who creates everything out of nothing, He still chooses to participate with us so that we can join Him in the pleasure and reward of victory!
What do we have in our hand today? It is enough.
It is enough because we have a God who multiplies. He multiplies our time, energies and resources. He just wants a willing and giving heart. “For if there is first a willing mind, [the gift] is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” (2 Cor. 8:12)
It is enough because He is the One who is our strength. He is the God of angel armies. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9a).
David gathered five stones.
At first glance, the five stones seem like backup plans. If the first stone failed, he would have more to try again. But that wasn't the purpose. Just as Jesus died once for all, (1 Pet. 3:18) so David would defeat the giant with one blow.

No, these extra stones were a preparation for David's future. You see, Goliath had four more brothers, all giants. They ruled with the Philistines, their allies, in the five cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Gath, which was situated within the southeastern shore of Israel's border along the the Mediterranean Sea.1
These giants were descended from Anak, of the giant ethnic group of the Nephilim, which began pre-flood, but whose lineage continued post-flood. The descendants of Anak had settled in the best, most fertile land of Canaan, in the mountainous and well-watered region of what would be called the land of Hebron. (Gen. 6:4; Deut. 9:2; Josh 15:3)
God knew that His people would be tempted to fear the giants. God never denied that His people are unequal to the giants. Rather, He wants to change our perspective to see the giants in juxtaposition to His own might!

Just as God's people were to cross over to occupy the Promised Land, God gave them this promise:

Hear, O Israel: You are to cross over the Jordan today, and go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to heaven, a people great and tall, the descendants of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the descendants of Anak?’ Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you.
Deut. 9:1-3

When the twelve spies were sent by the Israelites before they were to go into conquer the land, only two men, Joshua and Caleb(from the tribe of Judah), came back with a good report of the land.
After 40 days of spying out the land—40 days of seeing the goodness of what God had promised to give them and 40 days of witnessing the intimidating power of the giants—Caleb and Joshua alone saw the power of the giants in relation to God. They saw the immense benefit of the land. The rest of the spies could only focus on the giants in relation to themselves: We were as grasshoppers in their sight!” (Num. 13:33)
As an old man, it was Caleb of the tribe of Judah who would ask to inherit the specific region of the giants, Hebron, that he might drive them out. Many years later, it would be in Hebron that David would first occupy as reigning king (2 Sam. 5:3).
David knew that once he took on this fight with Goliath, it would necessitate an all-out war against the rest of the giants in the land of Philistia (2 Sam 21:18-22). David was making a commitment with the Lord to participate fully in walking in victory over everything that God had promised him. The gathering of stones was an act of faith--not only for this day of battle, but for a lifetime with God.
Like his aged ancestor, Caleb, the youth David wanted to have complete victory with God. At either spectrum of weakness, they two showed us the power of God to empower us in our weakness!
What are those battle areas in our lives that we know will follow on the heels of victory? Where are the strongholds that you can identify today, that you know you will need to deal with in the Lord-- Those places of defeat, of family history, or intimidation?
While God doesn't ask us to fight every battle all at once, we can still make some preparation now. What steps can you take in faith now, to prepare for when those battles will come to you?

COMPARE
Let's assess the situation from a right perspective!

So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.
1 Sam. 17:41-47 NKJV

David took stock. He inventoried what his enemy had, and of what he himself had. His enemy had formidable, real, and powerful weapons and stature. He himself had the Name of the God of angel armies. David compared the two, and declared his side to be the more powerful. He knew that the One within us is greater than the enemy (1 John 4:4).
Jesus showed us in Luke 14:28-32 that as His disciples, He expects us to first sit down and weigh the cost of discipleship. Is our God big enough? Is the reward worth it? Are we willing to invest all that we have?
Since the investment of ourselves in this battle is very costly, God wants us to know that this battle is important enough to Him to commit all that He has to the battle with us.
There are two reasons why God is committed to work with you to defeat your giants:
God wants to be glorified in the entire earth as the only true and all-powerful God, with nothing and no one comparable to Him.
God wants all the people who know you personally to have a deeper understanding of how God works for His people. He wants them to respond to Him in faith in their own lives.
Once we have weighed the balances, once we have made up our minds whose side we are on, there must be no hesitation. It is the time to run into the battle!

CHARGE!
Let's wield the weapon the enemy uses with confidence!

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents. And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.
1 Sam. 17:48-54

David didn't start into the fight with a sword to kill Goliath--it was the sword Goliath carried that David used to kill him! It would be the sword that David used again and again throughout his fighting battles against the Philistines and any who would encroach upon the territory he was commissioned to guard (1 Sam. 21:9).
Goliath's sword stands for the Word of God (Eph 6:17). It is the Sword that the enemy uses to accuse us to God night and day, morning and evening (Zech 3:1; Rev. 12:10). God's Word contains the law of commandments, the handwriting of ordinances, under which we, as lawbreakers, stand condemned before God as the Righteous Judge.
The devil uses God's own words to declare us guilty—to declare that we have no help from God because of our sin. It is that same Word of God that we must use to shut down the voice of the enemy. We can acknowledge the accusation---”Yes, by God's standards I was guilty of that sin. Yes, by God's Word I had no standing on my own with God because of that guilt. But that is why the blood of Christ was so important. He paid the penalty for me, and I have been brought near into covenant relationship with God through the blood of Christ (Eph 2:13)!
This Sword, the Word of God, also contains the Promises of God for us as the People of God. The devil tries to use the Promises of God to derail us from our purposes in the Will of God.
In Jesus' temptation in the wilderness after His baptism and anointing by the Spirit--Jesus' own battle with Goliath--we see three Promises of God that Satan wielded to try to derail Jesus from His purpose in Luke 4:1-13:

“God promised to provide for you.”
“God promised to give you the kingdom.”
“God promised to protect you.”

In each of these temptations, there was a legitimate and real promise of God found in Scripture for God's people that Satan tried to persuade Jesus to obtain outside of the Will of God. In each temptation, Jesus wielded the Word of God back to the devil to declare the larger and more complete purpose of God. Because Jesus had a complete understanding of God's greater plan of redemption, Jesus left these promises unfulfilled in His earthly life. Even though Jesus had the actual power to make these promises happen physically at that time, He chose to give them up to God's better will for His life in order to bring us into His joy along with Him.
Jesus gave up His provision (Matt 8:20), his kingdom (John 18:36), and His protection (Matt. 26:53) in a temporal setting in exchange for a lasting and eternal Promise (Phil 2:6-11).
Ultimately, as Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the promise of redemption for us from the enemy found in Genesis 3:15 AMP “And I will put enmity (open hostility) between you[the devil] and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her Seed [Jesus]. He shall [fatally] bruise your[the devil's] head, and you shall [only] bruise His heel.”
Just as David used the sword of Goliath to render the enemy in his life powerless, so Jesus used the very weapon Satan tried to use against Himself to destroy the devil and to render him powerless. Jesus' own death resulted in Satan's destruction: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” (Hos 13:14)
It was this laying down of Jesus' rights under the Word of God for our sake that reconciled us to God:

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities[all evil spirits\, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Col. 2:13-15 NIV

When you take courage and find these battles in your life, people around you will see that God is able to deliver them. Many of them will take courage and come to the battle as well. Not only did the Israelites join with David in the battle, but they were also able to plunder the Philistines, securing their border and taking home a reward.
David, however, knew that there was something else he must do. He must place physical reminders--memorials--of the victories he had with God, in prominent locations. The head of the giant went to Jerusalem, and the armor David placed in his own home.
These memorials would be not only be for the present, placed in his current dwelling place, but also in Jerusalem: the future of where he would ultimately reside as King of Israel, and the location where Satan's head would, one day, be crushed by Jesus Himself as Jesus gave His own life on the cross.
What can you do to establish memorials pointing to the victory of Christ for yourself and for successive generations?
How will you point to your reminders and tell your story?

Reference:
Palestine-David-Solomon.jpg (912×1600) (britannica.com)1

0 Comments

40 Days with Goliath - Part 3

6/3/2021

0 Comments

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

This week we went to family camp at a Ranch up in a rural Washington Native American Reservation. It was beautifully situated, with the desert bluffs rising steeply above the river.
They had many activities for the kids to be entertained, including kayaking, archery and pony riding, but, by far, the most fun were the new puppies. Fluffy. White. Adorable. By the end of the weekend, our children were bribing us with promises of chores, training, and sleepless puppy nights.
In the end, the child with the most commitments to the worst parts of puppy training got the privilege of having the puppy and naming her--"Confetti." I wondered how he would handle this much responsibility. Of all my kids, he can be most distracted. Having the constant care of a complex live animal may have its challenge for him.
It has been amusing to watch him navigate puppy bathroom breaks during the night, barking, and general training. He has been a diligent owner, though, and the puppy is quickly learning to obey and get along with everyone in the house.
In my mind it is perfect training for fatherhood. I love watching how God takes the little things of our lives, the hard things, the joy-filled experiences, and uses them to shape who He wants us to be for His purposes and our ultimate pleasure!
We see this in King David's life as well. The little battles became bigger battles, and with them, bigger victories.
In Part 1, we studied the place and stance of our fight, and who our Goliaths are. In Part 2, we looked at some of the first problems David encountered before he even had to stand up to his Goliath, and how he rooted himself firmly in his identity and future. Today, we will focus on how David negotiated closed doors, discrimination, and how to maintain an effective defense in a new battle situation.

Fight as a Representative

31Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul;
and he sent for him. 32Then David said to Saul,
“Let no man’s heart fail because of him;
your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
1 Sam. 17:31-32

Since David was Saul's armor bearer, he would not have been expected to go into war unless King Saul himself was going into battle. Furthermore, David would not have had the authority to fight Goliath without permission from King Saul. At the point of David's assertions to the soldiers, the door was currently closed to the possibility of his serving the people in this way.

When we speak declarative words of victory through Christ, God will make sure that those who have the ability to open doors you need are moved to action.

If David had offered to fight as his own representative, for his own glory and achievement, Saul likely would not have allowed him, and God would not have aided Him. David knew that the only way to fight with authority and dominion would be as a spiritual representative for the glory and kingdom of God by serving as Saul's earthly representative.
One question we should ask ourselves as we are preparing to fight our spiritual enemies, is “whose kingdom and glory are we pursuing?” Is it our own, or the Lord's? Are we fighting for our own selfish ambitions, or to bless others? (James 4:3) Sometimes there can be subtle differences in our motivations that may seem Godly or unselfish, but in reality are primarily to build something for our own kingdoms and desires that fail to put God's kingdom first over all.
If we are representing the mission and desires of the will of God, we will not fail to have His support, resources and aid.

Tell Our Testimonies

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
1 Sam. 17:33

"You don't have experience. He has been fighting this fight from the beginning. You are too young, too naive, too weak, too alone to be successful in this fight." We have all heard advice that seems wise, but in reality weakens our confidence in a living God who is really the one who will be fighting our battle on our behalf.
For me, this sinks home as I navigate creating a space for my in-laws to live, and what that would look like in our home, with relationships, and with our time and energy resources. It is a new and rather daunting transition for us, but David's attitude really spoke to my heart to encourage me.
Let's take a look at David's response to Saul's assertions of his inadequacy:

34But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Sam. 17:34-37

David told about his experience. It may not have been giants or war, but he had been faithful to depend on God in the areas that he had been placed. He equated this new battle with the previous battles, and the God who had delivered him before from the lion and bear would be the same God who would deliver him again this time.
When we are preparing for a new battle that we have not faced, with an enemy that seems to have the upper hand in strength, experience, and bravado, we should retell our testimonies for others to hear of how God has proved faithful in our lives in the past. We should retell and meditate on our stories for the good and encouragement of our own hearts. It is not about our strength, talents, or experience, but rather about the same God of armies who lives presently and will fight for us in this next new battle.
In this next season for our family, I may not know everything that may come up or how to deal with each new transition, but I know that God has given us grace and help in each past experience, with new wisdom and energy for every new day.

Spend Our Normal Days in Watchful Courage

Previously, David had watched over the sheep of his father to deliver them from predators. He had spent his normal days protecting his father's sheep. Protecting Israel, the flock of God, his heavenly Father, would be no different. His close, personal combat against the lions and bears would have taken great courage.
We often have a deceptive idealic picture of a peaceful, pastoral setting of a shepherd with his sheep. The reality, though, is a constant watching. A guarded alertness, regardless of the immediate appearance of peace. Since a predator would most likely sneak in and attack at an unsuspecting time upon the weakest of the sheep, the shepherd would need to keep his eyes and ears alert, scanning the hills, crevices and hidden places for any sign of attack.
Once an attack ensued, it would call for immediate action, a sprint at full speed toward the lion or bear who would have been running away with the bleeting lamb in its jaws. Overtaking it, David would have struck the predator, causing it to drop its prey in shock and pain.
Sometimes that would be enough to send it running away. If the predator was more than usually bold or hungry, it would attack David. David's response was not to back down, but to catch the animal by its beard, initiating face to face combat, and striking it until it was dead. It would be an intimate, intense, and adrenaline permeated fight to the death.
Often, though, shepherds were not so careful. The consequences were sadly destructive. If they let down their guards or became distracted, it would be too late for the lamb that would then be carried off. Even if the shepherd managed to fight the predator, the lamb would likely already be torn apart: "...The shepherd snatches from the mouth of the lion two legs or a piece of an ear....”(Amos 3:12)
If we, as we shepherd God's people, our families, and neighbors, are not watching carefully, not on guard, if we are sleeping or wandering, then we may not be fast or close enough to run at the enemy in time. Even a shepherd brave enough to fight would lose the lambs if he were negligent, careless, or distracted.
Like David's lambs, people are also helpless, in need of under-shepherds to watch and keep guard over them: Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. Proverbs 28:15 (NIV) Because of this, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy, a youthful pastor/apostle, to be on his guard in caring for the needs of his flock, his church: “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Tim. 4:5 The Apostle Peter mirrors this instruction: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers;” (1 Peter 4:7) and “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
This week I was greatly exhorted and inspired to an increase in watchful prayer by Spurgeon's devotional in Streams in the Desert, June 1 Morning:

“Perhaps there is no more subtle hindrance to prayer than that of our moods. Nearly everybody has to meet that difficulty at times....What shall we do when moods like this come to us? Wait until we do feel like praying?....If you were in a room that had been tightly closed for some time you would, sooner or later, begin to feel very miserable—so miserable, perhaps, that you would not want to make the effort to open the window, especially if they were difficult to open. But your weakness and listlessness would be proof that you were beginning to need fresh air very desperately—that you would soon be ill without it....When we are listless in prayer, it is the very time when we need most to pray. The only way we can overcome listlessness in anything is to put more of ourselves, not less, into the task...If I feel myself disinclined to pray, then is the time when I need to pray more than ever.” CHARLES H. SPURGEON

We become sleepy when we close our windows and doors through prayerlessness and prevent the rich, energizing oxygen of the grace and power of God to enrich our lives. We see this listlessness, this drowsy sleepiness and lack of discernment of the times, come heavily upon the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus went to pray to His Father to prepare for the greatest trial they would yet encounter—His own crucifixion.
Our drowsy lack of discernment of an impending spiritual attack should not determine our watchful alertness in prayer.
Jesus came to His disciples three times during the course of His prayer time, urging them to stop sleeping and to pray, “so that they would not enter (join in unity into) temptation” Matt 26:41). They must, indeed, suffer the temptation, but watchful prayer would be their means of securing from their heavenly Father all the grace they needed to endure it in the Spirit, with grace and holiness and faithfulness. We do not always know what the next temptation, giant or betrayal may be, so we must be watchful in all things.

Fight with Spiritual Defenses

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” 38So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.”
So David took them off.
1 Sam. 17:37-49

Saul had fought with this armor, but had not even experienced consistent victory using it. The victories that Saul had experienced in the Spirit had taken place before Saul had obtained armor and weaponry. Additionally, Saul was a very tall man, a full head and shoulder taller than his fellow Israelites. As David was both a youth and probably average height, he would not have fit this armor.
Not only this, but it was a system of defense that he had not used before. Rather than enable David, it would only slow him down and create confusion between his muscles and mental coordination where he did have prior experience. The offer of armor was simply another method of distraction brought by the devil in order to entice David to place his trust and defense in the king's armor, rather than in God who would help the weak.
Sometimes leadership or friends may offer well-meaning advice and support, but it is unintentionally unhelpful. It may or may not have worked for them, or perhaps, as in Saul's case, they only thought it was helpful, while it never did change their outcomes. Regardless, whether it's new technology, equipment, systems or mind manipulations, these can have no true value or benefit when they are not a tool given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Some may try to claim that if you would only teach your children through a certain type of school, then they would love Jesus. If you would only get rid of all media, tv, digital devices, then you would not be subject to temptation. If you would restrict your diet to this or that discipline or food or exercise, then you would remain free of disease and physical ailments.
While these life changes may actually be what God is calling you to personally, more often they may be what God has used as tools in their lives, but have no value intrinsically, in and of themselves, in controlling wrong appetites or in giving delivery and victory,
Only when both given and used through the Holy Spirit in His power and His abundant grace can physical tools be a means to help with victory in any given area.
Instead of focusing on methods and tools, we should focus on the power of the Name of Jesus and the individual way and means that the Lord has used in our past regardless of our physical resources. These methods that the Holy Spirit has used in our lives previously to bring about victory are primarily the ways that He will give us victory over larger and intimidating enemies. In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes to the Galatians because they are being led astray by the false hope that as Gentiles turning to the obedience and Covenant of the Mosaic Law they would find salvation, rather than through the blood and Covenant of Christ and obedience to the Law of Love:

2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— Galatians 3:2-5

When we are to face off against a giant that is larger than we have encountered, for which we have but small experience, though indeed, it is experience, however belittled by some, we must continue to fight against these giants with the very same Spirit, authority and grace through which we have had our victories in the past. Do not be fooled by false rules, regulations, technologies, systems, media, popularity, political correct speech or any other tactic that seems in worldly wisdom to be effective, but has no real value in conquering evil in our lives:

These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God]. Col 2:23 AMP

Rather, as the Apostle Paul stated,

“3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.5We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor. 10:3-5

What about you? What giants are you currently facing?
  How might you navigate the giants in your life? In your unique situation, how might you represent your heavenly Father? Do you believe that He will provide the means and resources you need as you fight for Him?
Do you know anyone who is afraid of their giant, who needs to hear your words of encouragement, who needs to hear how God has been faithful to handle your problems in the past? Who can you share your story with?
Perhaps this season has become one where life seems to drag, and prayer and intimate relationship with God seem far away. How might you pursue a deeper prayer life?
Have you encountered any areas where a physical means to fight or fix your problem seems to present itself, but your spirit doesn't have a real peace about pursuing that way of dealing with it? What other ways have you experienced God helping you might you pursue instead?

0 Comments

40 Days with Goliath Part 2

5/26/2021

1 Comment

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

My husband is very athletic. As he wraps up his long, wearying day on multiple jobsites, he keeps going with the thought that when he gets home, he will get to exercise. The longer the hours of sitting in the car, the more intense the workout that he wants to pound out. For him, the thought of increasing strength and endurance, of being ready for any emergency and need, is what drives him on.
Goodness, it's not mine.
My motivation looks more like a hot cappuccino in a pretty mug just to get out of bed in the morning. The longer the day, the more I look forward to sitting with a warm blanket and a good book.
But when we are in the thick of it, when our day isn't just a normal, messy craziness, but there is an extra weight to it, a deprivation, an urgency and trauma, a vulnerability and testing--and these are the markers that come back day after day unresolved, then we need to recognize that we are facing a goliath--and that there are exciting things ahead.
In Part 1, we studied the place and stance of our fight, and who our goliaths are. In today's study, let's look at some of the first problems David encountered before he even had to stand up to his Goliath, and how he rooted himself firmly in his identity and future. These are problems that are unavoidable in every life of victorious faith for a believer in Christ, and yet are embued with the presence, power and promise of the Holy Spirit to deliver and reward!

12Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse, and who had eight sons. And the man was old, advanced in years, in the days of Saul. 13The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul.
15But David occasionally went and returned from Saul [ministering to Saul with the lyre\ to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
1 Sam. 17:12-15

As background, we need to understand why we are given the information about David’s brothers. Earlier, in chapter 16, when David was about to be anointed by Samuel. In front of the entire village and its elders, David had been neglected—uninvited--at the feast for which he himself would be the guest of honor, known only to God. His father and brothers had not considered him worth calling. Of course, they presumed, Samuel would choose one of Jesse’s oldest sons: they were the strongest, handsomest and most charismatic.
God, however, did not see it that way. Instead, in front of the whole village, God told Samuel to tell them that Eliab was not chosen by God, but rather rejected, because God could see his heart. Down the line went Samuel, through the six sons of Jesse, each in turn, rejected by the Lord because their hearts were not right.
Samuel got to the end of the line. Turning to Jesse, he asked him if he had any other sons. “There remains yet the youngest,” Jesse replied, “and there he is, keeping the sheep.” (1 Sam. 16:11). After bringing his youngest son, David was anointed by Samuel “in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” This anointing and pronouncement was followed by a feast, given in David’s honor.
After this event, David was given a job in the palace playing his lyre, an instrument similar to a harp, for an unsuspecting and now replaced King Saul, for whenever Saul would be distressed by an evil spirit (1 Sam. 16:16).
So here was David, still in charge of keeping his father’s sheep, but also in Saul’s employ as a musician, traveling regularly back and forth to keep up with his responsibilities. David was anointed by God as the king-elect, so to speak, close to the throne in proximity, but with many lessons to learn before receiving it physically.
Just as Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism in the presence of His brothers and then led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil, so would David start his public ministry—with a 40 day test in the wilderness:

"For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and took his stand."
1 Sam. 17:16

Here, we see Goliath coming out every single day to mock, revile, and test the Israelites. Both morning and evening the entire armies of the Israelites and Philistines would gather on their respective hills, face off across the valley, and hear the challenge and mockery yet again: “And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.” v. 24
Now in the Bible we see a pattern of 40 days. The rain fell for 40 days while Noah waited in the ark; the people of Israel traveled 40 years in the wilderness, 1 year for each day the spies spied out Canaan; Moses stayed for two sets of 40 days on Mt. Sinai, fasting, and receiving the commandments of God; Joshua, who waited partway down the mountain for Moses, also fasted; Aaron, simultaneously, waited the 40 days down in the desert with the people, followed by creating the idolatrous golden calf for them to worship; Elijah fasted for 40 days while he went through the wilderness, Ezekiel lay on his right side for 40 days, bearing the iniquity of the people; and Jesus was led by the Spirit for 40 days in the wilderness, fasting, to be tested by the devil.
Each of these 40 day periods was a time of extreme testing, deprivation and temptation. It would involve feelings of weakness, shame, vulnerability, fear, exposure, worthlessness, wastedness, and futility. These feelings would come, whether the person gave into the temptation or not. The feelings would assault them, even if they refused to sin.
For those who gave themselves over to the temptation, as in the case of Aaron and the people of Israel, there were sad and painful consequences as they became enslaved to the desires for which they lusted.

When we remain faithful in the testing,
there is the promise of an increase of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The scriptures say of Moses that, after enduring his time of fasting on Mt. Sinai with the Lord, “when Moses came down from Mount Sinai….Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.” (Ex. 34:29-30) Furthermore, the scriptures say of Jesus, that after he returned from his fasting and temptations, that “he returned in the power of the spirit,” (Luke 4:14) for further and effective ministry.
A time of testing, a time of temptation, a constant barrage of accusations, lies and enticement to do evil: these are not sin. Rather, they are a common occurrence in the spiritual journey of every believer. There will be Goliaths in our lives. There will be those 40 days of suffering and deprivation. There will be times when we wait and wait for the Lord to deliver us, wondering when this season will be over.
Sometimes we are tempted to believe there must be something wrong with us that we would even be in the middle of such a difficult test of our faith and commitment to self-control. Sometimes we can feel like we must already be guilty because of the temptations and accusations that the enemy calls out to us.
In reality, though, it may simply be the effect of a calling or anointing on your life by God. These ministries must be preceded by an encounter with the enemy, for which you must solely depend by faith on the deliverance through the blood of Christ. It is in the crucible of your wilderness with Goliath that you come to understand intimately how deeply the blood of Jesus can deliver you from every sin, temptation and evil.
God is faithful. He has always and will always be faithful to deliver us from “every evil work and to preserve [us] for His heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18). Listen and meditate on the promise of God for these seasons of our goliaths:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. But God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” 1 Cor. 10:13

There is nothing—no emotion, no temptation, no terror-- that isn’t common to us all in some way or fashion. As children of God, He is just to discipline His children—not in the same way, but to the same end: to bring each of us to a full maturity in Christ.
It is these Goliath seasons that provide the discipline and hardship that bring us into that state of maturity.

It is our goliaths that take the theory of our theology
into the intimacy and power of relationship.

17Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. 18And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” 19Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. 21For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 22And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.”26Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.”
1 Sam. 17:7-27

Notice David’s response. He questions their fear, their terror, at a mere man, when the people have the very living God on their side. “What shall be done,” David asks again and again, “for the man who kill this Philistine and takes away the reproach (the mockery, the shame) from Israel?”

As servants of our King, we have the “armies of the living God” waiting to go out to battle with us. Armies that do not quake with fear or run, afraid of the voice of the giants. Armies that are supernatural; hosts of heaven waiting on the King’s command.

What shall be done for the man or woman who fights for their King, defeats the giants who come against them, and takes away the shame from God’s people? This is Jesus, your King, says to you: “He who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations—….and I will give him the morning star” (Rev. 2:26-28).
Sometimes when we are fighting our goliaths, we are only considering escaping the severity of slavery or of death. Seeing past the battle to the victory, and even to the reward, can seem presumptuous and perhaps past what our minds can seem to take in in the moment.
In our story, though, David shows us how to live faith in the testing: Focus on the reward. Not on the giant. Not on the fearful soldiers. Not on the valley of depression. Not on the escape. The reward. We see the same outcome with Jesus when He focused on the reward set before Him:

1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God3For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
Hebrews 12:1-4

When the reward is great enough, and we truly believe that it is waiting at the end of our pain, our actions will reflect that faith in endurance.
In all of David’s bold and courageous questioning, though, there was one man who was not impressed with his assertiveness---Eliab:

28Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
1 Sam. 17:28

Eliab turns against his brother, and, seething in rage, jealously and vindictiveness, accuses David's faith and courage of being really a presumptive pride and an evil desire to watch a battle that was none of his business.
Eliab burned with anger—because he himself had failed to step up to defeat the giants in his life. Anger is often a response of guilt in our lives, especially when directed at someone who is suggesting that there is a way to not sin—to live in victory. He had already in his heart given himself over to the slavery of the fear, lies, and shame. As indicated by God’s rejection of Eliab as king, Eliab had heart issues with which he had not dealt.
In fact, the very two accusations he leveled at David were a few of his own pitfalls—pride and wickedness. It had been his pride that had been injured when he was refused as king. It was he who had presumed that God would validate him, without the righteous obedience that accompanies a clear conscience and loving heart. It was the wickedness of his own heart that now sought to accuse God’s Anointed.
He was angry that David would imply that there was another choice. People who have given themselves into obedience to slavery want to feel and believe and be validated in the belief that they had no choice: it just happened to them. They “couldn't help it.” It was a “disorder”. It was their “personality.” They choose to believe that God never had another way for them to choose.
When others successfully choose to live in victory, it only serves to make them feel the shame of their choice, and their response can be to lash out at those who have success in the area, accusing, trying to make it seem like it is nothing more than pride and evil to assume that there is a better way that God will make victorious. Even when it is those very people who are offering them a better way to live, a rescue from their own enslavement.
Just as David was implying that each one of them could have chosen to defeat Goliath--could still choose to defeat him, each one of us continues to have a choice in our lives. None of them were helpless, they were simply choosing to let Goliath take control through their lack of faith in God. None of us are helpless, either. We have a constant choice about our actions, thoughts, and even feelings.
Friends, like David we should be declaring God’s absolute power to free and deliver us from the Goliath’s. From pride, bitterness, hatred, greed, lust, jealousy, gossip, destructive criticisms, addictions, immorality, and depression. But know for sure that when you declare this, your Eliabs--perhaps family members or other Christians, perhaps unbelievers or co-workers, perhaps even your church leadership and yes, your own thoughts--your Eliabs will try to shut down and oppose the idea that there is deliverance and victory with God over the giants that we face.
But how did David respond to Eliab? Did he accuse back? Justify his position? Declare the anointing and calling that God had on his life? No. He simply asks some questions, and turns away:

29And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 30Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.” 1Sam. 17:29-30

Like David, when we are confronted and opposed about the truth of God’s deliverance, by ourselves or someone else, we can simply ask the question: “What is exactly wrong with saying that this giant (insert: lust, deceit, depression, etc.) has no right to mock our God by claiming that He is too small to give us victory in this area? Isn’t this a big enough deal that we should talk about what God can do?”
Secondly, rather than argue, debate, or convince, turn away from those who maintain their anger...keep declaring our God's power to deliver over these things. You may never convince your Eliabs, but you can keep declaring God’s faithfulness to the next person…and the next…

...and the next.

1 Comment

40 Days with Goliath - Final

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

1 Samuel 17:40-54

COVENANT
Let's declare our loyalty and love for God above all!

COMPILE
Let's gather what we need!

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself
five smooth stones from the brook,
and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had,
and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Sam. 17:40

COMPARE
Let's assess the situation from a right perspective!

CHARGE!
Let's wield the weapon the enemy uses with confidence!

40 Days with Goliath - Part 3

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

31Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul;
and he sent for him. 32Then David said to Saul,
“Let no man’s heart fail because of him;
your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
1 Sam. 17:31-32

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
1 Sam. 17:33

These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God]. Col 2:23 AMP

40 Days with Goliath Part 2

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

"For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and took his stand."
1 Sam. 17:16

29And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 30Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.” 1Sam. 17:29-30

Author

Archives

Categories

40 Days with Goliath - Final

For forty days the Philistine came forwardevery morning and evening and​​took his stand.1 Samuel 17:40-54

COVENANTLet's declare our loyalty and love for God above all!​

COMPILELet's gather what we need!​

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook,​and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had,and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.1 Sam. 17:40

COMPARELet's assess the situation from a right perspective!​

CHARGE!Let's wield the weapon the enemy uses with confidence!​

40 Days with Goliath - Part 3

For forty days the Philistine came forwardevery morning and evening and ​took his stand.

31Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul;and he sent for him. 32Then David said to Saul,“Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” ​1 Sam. 17:31-32

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 1 Sam. 17:33​

These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God]. Col 2:23 AMP ​

40 Days with Goliath Part 2

For forty days the Philistine came forwardevery morning and evening and ​took his stand.

"For forty days the Philistine came forwardevery morning and evening and took his stand."1 Sam. 17:16​

29And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 30Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.” 1Sam. 17:29-30

Author

Archives

Categories

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

1 Samuel 17:40-54

COVENANT
Let's declare our loyalty and love for God above all!

COMPILE
Let's gather what we need!

Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself
five smooth stones from the brook,
and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had,
and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Sam. 17:40

COMPARE
Let's assess the situation from a right perspective!

CHARGE!
Let's wield the weapon the enemy uses with confidence!

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

31Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul;
and he sent for him. 32Then David said to Saul,
“Let no man’s heart fail because of him;
your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
1 Sam. 17:31-32

And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
1 Sam. 17:33

These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism), but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God]. Col 2:23 AMP

For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and
took his stand.

"For forty days the Philistine came forward
every morning and evening and took his stand."
1 Sam. 17:16