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Stand up like David or Sit down like Saul?
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Sa 17:2-11 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him. And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
There comes a time in our walk when building a relationship with God...that challenges (or situations) arise. They seem so huge at the time and terrifying. They taunt us, mock us and even dare us to do something that at the moment we may feel uncomfortable doing. We are blasted with jokes and ridicule and it seems to never end. It happened to the Israelites:
1Sa 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
It is only temporary as you can see here. For some it does not seem that way...it seem hopeless and never ending. Even the Israelites felt that way.
1Sa 17:23-24 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
More taunting, more words of ridicule are spoken and we get hurt, upset and want to do something about it...but what? But most importantly...WHO heard these words? I mean somebody must have heard this...was a reward posted? Is there something to gain from all of this ?
1Sa 17:25-26 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
It seems that a reward would get people to do what is right, build some courage and encourage them to carry on..That isn't the case all the time. We keep talking about the prospects and what is to come and how it will be better one of these days. It will be...I do not deny that. But sometimes we have some that will be upset with us(who profess to be with us) and not agree at all, if you don't think that happens look how it happen to DAVID:
1Sa 17:29 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
So now, we are accused by those who professed to be along side of us and belonging to the same family. That is alright though, because love conquers all even an offense. If we harbor, hurt feeling, we would not be focused on the challenge (situation) that lies ahead. So don't stay to long wondering about it. PRAY and let the spirit of God, his Holy spirit guide you.
Even if we go to those who are above us, in authority, and may give such reproving words, as though you are not serious and have not honestly looked at what your challenge (situation) may be. Even to the point that they may consider you irrational or unrealistic.
1Sa 17:32-33 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
We are discouraged, told to sit down..because this is going to happen anyway. Well it was written in the old testemant that if Israel turned away from God that the pestilence of Egypt would plague them to. Another,prophecy that could be viewed as "END OF THE WORLD" for you. Yet as you can see that did not weigh in David's heart. NO!! In fact, what got him(as it gets some of us) is that UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE making fun of our people, deceiving them, harming them, and separating them from the Love of God.
1Sa 17:38-51 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
While we need to wear protective equipment, before going into battle.We don't have to put on the latest and the strongest. David picked up 5 stones it was known that Goliath had brothers (that is why he picked up 5 stones) David armed himself accordingly. Then he was mocked by his aggressor, to belittle him and discourage him. This to happens with us when we confront our challenge (situation).
Discouraging statements is a good tactic and sometimes work. Even our military used it and continues to use it.(Psychological warfare) We know that if we stand on the right side of the fight and for the right reason...we can not lose.
No matter how tall that UNCIRCUMCISED PHILISTINE may be, GOD will give us the victory. Those challenges (situation) will run and flee from you. They know that OUR GOD whom sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins...LIVES!!!
What is our protective equipment for battle?
Eph 6:10-19 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
And what is the best weapon to use?:
1Co 13:4-8 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. ASV
While also manifesting:
Gal 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
As you know, most of your challenges (situation) is not with every day physical environment...but if not with that, which concerns the Spirit. Never forget to "arm" yourself accordingly, like David did.
So are you going to STAND UP LIKE DAVID....OR SIT DOWN LIKE SAUL?
SHALOM. May this serve you as a tool to help you in everyday challenges (situation) All verses taken from KJV unless stated otherwise.
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