He was prepared for life. His preparation came from being alone with a few sheep and God in the wilderness. His acknowledgement of his God, I believe, is written in the 19th Psalm he penned. His name is David, the son of Jesse, the shepherd of a few of his father's sheep. The greatest statement written about him is found in Acts13:22. In this verse God says, ...I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, who will do all My will. My desire is for God to say the same about me. What about you?
We read of David's first display of his faith and trust in God by his actions described in 1Samuel chapter 17. The Philistine giant was daring God's army to send their champion to come and fight him one on one. This giant presented himself forty days, morning and evening. King Saul offered riches to any man that challenged and killed him. No takers, but David, the shepherd boy.
David heard this and his interest was peaked. 1Sam.17:26 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? David has now discovered his cause (purpose, why). He would display God's splendor, majesty and power by trusting in Him, the God in whom he believed was living and present.
David wants to be the champion sent to face Goliath, defeating him and showing all the earth that there is a God in Israel. But those in the cheap seats, not willing to fight Goliath, gave to David the" but's" to hinder him. Christians do we not get "buts" to hinder us also?
I wonder if David's interest in fighting Goliath sent Satan scrambling to find a way to put doubt in David's faith. Did this young shepherd boy catch Satan off-guard? Just listen to the "buts" used to introduce doubts in David mind.
In verse 28 Eliab, David's older brother anger was aroused against David. 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. What thoughts are in David's mind after his brother's comments?
What about you? Let's see if we have had these thoughts ourselves.
Has a family member or close friend ever gotten angry with you in this way, when you wanted to do the right thing? Did this create a "but" in your thinking? I want to do the right thing, "but" my family will be angry with me. I am trying to work for God, "but" do other people think I am arrogant and disrespectful like my family? But whom am I to do this? I do not have a respectful career and very little money. Would this get you to second guess proceeding on with your cause or purpose? It use to get me thinking about what others thought and many times I abandoned the cause.
Let's read verse 33 next. And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth." What would your "buts" tell you? If someone told me this, my first thought would probably be, " but this does seem impossible, and I have never seen anyone without the experience of a man of war win a fight like this". Yes, I have good intentions, "but" I am really too young and inexperienced. I think I should pass this time until I get older with more experience." Heard this one before. Used it myself.
Next verses 38-39: So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David 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. I believe Saul was implying to David, he needed this kind of armor and weapon to go to battle. I have almost quit writing at times, because I do not have the knowledge of the current technology to build a flashy website for my readers. I would use the excuse, "but" I don't have the required social media to get my words across. I haven't tested the new technologies, but I will get there. I will just do what I know how to do and gradually test other equipment and methods as I learn. David eventually did use armor and swords, but the lack of knowing how to use them at this present time was not a stumbling block to getting the task done.
The reason David ignored all of the negative "buts" hurled his way was a positive truthful "but" he used against them all. I am inserting a "but" here. In verse 37, David's reply to the king, "Yes but, 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. His past experiences trusting in God and being able to see God's glory and power, gave him the courage needed to challenge Goliath and defeat him. When I review my past trials, I can identify the ways God helped me through them. The trials I am facing now are being faced with "God confidence" obtained by faith in His promises.
What was David's "cause" or "why" to attempt an impossible task never before seen by the Philistines or the armies of Israel? It was a "cause" stronger than any of the "buts" used to discourage him. Here it is in verse 46. ...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Why this? All the nations around them were idol worshipers and served false gods.
Also in verse 47 he gives credit to God for about what seemed impossible to become possible. Then all the assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with the sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands.
What did I learn from this and also by writing my first book about it. I learned that we as Christians in this country must remember the giants that are taunting us: abortion, teaching evolution as fact, and sexual immorality, cannot be overcome by sword and spear or the right political party running the government. We must remember the last words Goliath heard from David, ...He (God) will deliver you into our hands.
We do not face physical giants today as Goliath, "but" we do face giant sized ideologies that are threatening our nation. How do we remove this "but"? We follow the same plan as David.
1. Learn to take the time to see God's wonderful creation, believing only He could have created us, and all of that we see.
2. Enjoy the words of God and His commandments.
3.Reverence God by obeying His truth and righteousness.
4. Let our words and the thoughts of our hearts be acceptable to Him.
When the armies of God saw God in action through a shepherd boy named David, armed with just five smooth stones and a sling, slay Goliath and cut his head off with his own sword, they came out of hiding and a movement was started that defeated the Philistine's army.
The Lord's Church must be seen doing the impossible as David's killing the giant. We cannot do it sitting on a pew or hidden. We must present no "buts" nor be discouraged by negative "buts". Our armor is identified in Ephesians 6:10-18. I hope this armor has already been tested by you.
Our message to those that are hurting should be; there is a God in heaven and the good news is He sent His son to save us all from our sins. Our authority comes from Jesus and He has slain the giant we fear the most. This giant's name is death.
Hearts can be changed by God's word when we live it so they can see it, and they let it when we teach it.
There is a "but" in this statement we seriously need to pay attention to. It was strongly used by our savior and as a warning. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 NKJV
I had to overcome several "buts" when I wrote The Heart Behind The Stone and 123 Tips for My Grandchildren and Yours. This seemed impossible to me as writing the next one. If any of my books change one heart, the challenge will be worth it.
You can help me by purchasing my books on www.amazon.com or by telling others.
Also, if you share my blog with your friends and loved ones I would greatly appreciate it.
I am not a preacher, theologian, English major, nor up on all the technologies. I am one concerned about our nation and about the people hurting. I write to give encouragement and hope to those who have none. I visit a young man in jail every week. He is 29 years old and if he is convicted of the crime he is charged with, he may get life in prison. I asked him how I could help him. He said," I need hope". I told him about the best hope I could give him and it is the hope in Jesus Christ.
I tell my new friends each time when I leave the jail, "Don't you give up". Silently each day I tell myself the same.
If you or anyone you know is about to give up, send me an email. I will do all I can do to help. Also please send me comments. My email is rhepler52@gmail.com
Remember Church. They need to see Christ and God's love in us before we can change their hearts.
Thanks for reading and your encouragement.
Rick Hepler
