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Religous: Living above the circumstances
Pastor Arnie Wyllie
for South Peace News
Most people know the story of David and Goliath, even if they have never read the Bible. David, the shepherd boy, defeats the seasoned nine-foot warrior giant, Goliath, with a slingshot and one pebble. Here is the story of the fight from the Bible.
Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out to face the army of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet. His bronze armour weighed 125 pounds. He wore bronze leg armour and he carried a bronze spear. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a fence rail, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds.
David picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight Goliath.
“You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies - the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied,” David said to Goliath. “Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit Goliath in the forehead. The stone sank in, Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over Goliath with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.
You can read the account of the whole fight in your Bible in 1 Samuel 17.
That battle is ancient history, but you still face giants today. They are not literally nine feet tall, but they strike terror into your heart just as Goliath did to the Israelite army. What does your giant look like?
* a serious physical problem? Cancer is no respecter of persons, saint or sinner, and cures are few and far between.
* family crises? Unbelievable peer pressure is on your children and grandchildren to experiment with alcohol, drugs and premarital sex.
* financial pressures? Challenges like job insecurity and retirement income are very real.
What other giants make your situation look hopeless?
Do not give up. Remember, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!
And you can be sure your “giants” will not give up easily. Day after day and night after night, they will just keep coming back. You can defeat any giant who is harassing you! Follow David’s example. “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies - the God of the armies of Israel.”
When David arrives on the battle scene, God’s name is introduced. Up until now, no one has even mentioned God. Now David will talk about nothing but God. What a difference that makes! Israel’s terrified soldiers have now become “the armies of the living God.”
Stay close to your Bible and the Holy Spirit will personalize promises just as you need them. In God’s time, you will be delivered from the attacks of your stalking giants. Cheer up! There will be a happy ending.
Has someone asked you, “How are you getting along?”
Do you say, “Pretty well - under the circumstances.”
That is a horrifying place for you to live! “Under the circumstances"!
Starting now, with David, shift your focus from your Goliaths to your God. Begin to dwell on the promises (the promises of the Bible) rather than your problems.
Here is a good one for today: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
When you live “above your circumstances”, you are victorious, strong, cheerful, optimistic, triumphant and hopeful. That is the place to live - above your circumstances.
Where does this story meet with your life? Maybe you have been going through some tough times. Has hope been in short supply?
David testifies that “the Lord … delivered me”. He knew from firsthand experience that God had done it before, and that gave him confidence to predict He would do it again.
This Bible story reminds you that situations are not always just what they seem to be. It is all a matter of perspective. From a physical standpoint, it was “no contest.” David was totally outclassed by his huge opponent.
It is still all a matter of perspective. Do you see your giants from your point of view or God’s point of view? That makes all the difference. Take Jesus’ Word for it when He tells you, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
That is the truth for today and every day.
This is a happy ending to end all happy endings! One well-placed stone from the shepherd boy’s slingshot took care of Goliath. David gave credit where credit was due when he set the record straight with these famous last words: “the battle is the Lord’s!”
Wherever you are in your personal journey, whatever critical situation you face, rest on this timeless assurance: “the battle is the Lord’s.”
Your human resources are not the last word.
God’s promise is!
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