My favorite Old Testement hero is King David, a "man after God's own heart", who exemplifies in many ways
the ideal relationship with God. One strength, in particular, which David personified was the courage toward
life that comes of profound trust in God.
As a boy, and into young manhood, David tended his father Jesse's sheep, for Jesse was a man of means and possessed
great herds of the wooly beasts. Jesse's other sons, strapping young lions with those same wholesome good looks as
their younger brother, were rooky officers in the Jewish army, commanded by none other that King Saul.
Jesse, apparently an arm chair politician, was a man who thought it necessary to ingratiate himself to his betters with generous gifts
to illicit their favor, as he was in the habit of sending a couple mule loads of offerings to the officers that commanded
his sons as an inducement to show them deference; Cheeses, bread, wine, and a variety of tasty delicacies were his
customary offerings. Ofcourse, there was always a bulging package addressed to King Saul.
The delivery boy was the youngest son, David. Jesse gave him leave of his herding duties when these trips were on
the agenda, and David would make the several days journey to the army bivouac leading his pack animals.
On one momentous occasion, which echoes down the centuries as a passage of scripture, and will abide forever, David arrived
as a drama was unfolding. The Jews had formed battle lines against the army of the Philistines, a race of tough Greeks from
the north. It was the Greek custom, prior to a battle, to send forth a champion to challenge a suitable opponent from the
enemy camp. It is recorded that many times the Philistines would retreat and avoid a confrontation altogether when their
champion was defeated, as they were a superstitious people, so this seemingly inane exercise had great importance to both
armies.
On that day, as it had been on several days running, the Greek champion was a behemouth of a man named Goliath. His lineage
was of the Rapha people, a race of virtual giants. These same people are also alluded to in Moses' account of the first recon of
"The Land", not long after the liberation of the Jews from Egypt, when a patrol was sent forth to learn what they could
about their promised land. If you are familiar with that area of Scripture (Genesis) you will recall that all but 2 men
returned with great consternation. Only Caleb and Joshua didn't break down and weep at the recollection of their
discoveries, the most disturbing of which was the presence of giant peoples, entire cities of giants. But...that's another
story.
Goliath, and many other soldiers of his ilk, were mercinaries, hired out to the Philisitines as professional fighting men.
The pay was good, and they relished the opportunity to plunder the countryside as the dreaded Philistines raided Israel
and other agricultural centers. The Greeks prided themselves as warriors, and considered farming a pursuit beneath
their station. Thus, they depended upon the produce of thier neighbors, who they raided in the fall to gather food for
the coming winter months.
Imagine the way it was on that hilltop where the Jews were encamped, the way David found it. He was unloading the mules,
distributing the goodies, when Goliath's booming voice sounded from the plain below. His words were insulting, accusing the
Jews of cowardice, and maligning their Elohim. When David heard this he was incensed, and he whirled to confront one of his
brothers, "Who is this uncircumsized Philistine that he mocks the armies of the living God?" He demanded.
ofcourse, there were no answers, only silence lay over the officer's tent where David was standing. He looked from face to
face, waiting for an answer, but none came. Perhaps his brothers scolded him, something to the effect; "Oh shut up, little
brother! You are just a sheep herder, so what do you know of such things?" In any event, not a single man in uniform
cared to make an issue of Goliath's taunting, for it drew attention to their fear and unsoldierly conduct.
But the youngest son of Jesse would not be silenced, and was apparently overheard by one of Saul's staff officer's. David
was promptly escorted into the presence of Saul, who questioned him concerning his experience. David's response was the
account of those ocassions when he had actually hunted down a lion who had been stalking his flock and killing it with
his sling, and another incident which involved a bear.
Now, I don't know about you, but just the thought of sleeping in the open with a marauding lion(s) nearby, and no more for
a weapon than a leather strap and some small stones, gives me the jitters. My choice of armament would run along the lines
of a .458 Weatherby, or a Rigby "nitro express"! But, as we will see further on, God prepared his chosen man for this
historical confrontation in God's own unique way in order to reveal His annointed man to follow Saul as King of Israel.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that every Jewish soldier on that hill was much better armed, and probably
experienced in personal combat, in contrast to this strapping young lad (in his early 20's), dressed in a crude leather
garment, with only a sling and his courage to offer as qualifications for battle. Yet, what set David apart was a
spiritual frame of mind, not the restricted point of view that was found in all those around him. Many of the men on
that hill were brave men, distinguished in many campaigns, like Johnathan for one, the son of Saul, who would become
the dearest friend David ever had. There were men with the equivalent of a Medal of Honor on their tunic, as even
Saul himself, who was at one time a valiant warrior.
But the several thousands of men in that Jewish camp all suffered from the same malaise, which kept the line to "sick bay"
several hundred men in number every day...they saw the problem whereas David saw the solution!
Here is the first principle in our subject; The battle is the Lord's!
The man who is set apart to God, an instrument of His will, is prepared for any exigency, any challenge of life, whether
they be the day-to-day battle we all contend with, or...as on that eventful day, a peril that looms so large in the lives
of all involved that the conclusion will stay fresh in their minds for all their lives. God's chosen man is one who keeps
divine viewpoint in his soul, thinking the Word of God on a moment-by-moment basis, applying divine principles to his life
rather than human viewpoint.
Human viewpoint always sees the problem, divine viewpoint always sees the solution!
To get back to our story; Saul first interrogated the young shepherd and was apparently satisfied that he had at least a
ghost of a chance. Saul was obviously not really concerned with the welfare of his brave young subject, for the first
suggestion that he offered was not to send a squad to protect David if things went awry, but a selfish gesture that would
enhance his own part in an unlikely victory (which was nil); He offered David his armor and weapons. In other words; "Here
kid, wear my jersy, with my number on it". Such was the low station to which this one time valiant King had fallen.
In any case, David respectfully declined, and Saul sent him down to meet their nemesis as he stood, with only his trust in
God as armor.
So David made his way down the hill, stopping at a dry creekbed to select several round, smooth stones and drop them into
a pouch that he carried at his hip. Why do you suppose he picked several stones? Did he suppose his first, and perhaps his
second and third shots, would fail to neutralize the giant?
No. This was not his intention. The scriptures tell us that Goliath had brothers! Yes! David went down there expecting to
kill Goliath, and then take on his brothers!
"And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan, the son of Jair, slew Lahmi the brother
of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam." (1Chr 20:5)
Here's the blow-by-blow account;
"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." (1Sam 17:40-44)
Well, right off Goliath expresses his bad attitude. He is distainful of this young Jew, probably not even shaving yet,
who has the temerity to face his great stature in mortal combat. I dare say that those on the hill behind David winced
when the Philistine's words boomed in their ears, for they too expected David to be killed.
By the way; Goliath is "six cubits and a span" tall, or about 9 feet six inches. His armor weights "5,000 shekels of
brass", or the rough equivalent of 5,000 pennies...I estimate about 75-80 pounds. His spear is like "a weaver's beam",
6-8 inches in diameter and 12 feet long. The head of his spear weighs "600 shekels of brass", say 8 pounds. Combined,
the spear and head had to weigh between 30 and 50 pounds! The average man might lob this weapon 15 feet, with practice,
but Goliath could send it soaring as far as a javelin thrower, a hundred or more feet. This is the countenance that
confronted David as the battle loomed.
But these formidable dimensions are the stuff that our human standards consider terrifying, but they do not daunt the
prepared Christian whose mind is set upon the divine standard, as expressed by David's reply;
"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 [armies], 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."
(1Sam 17:45-47)
Little wonder that God has immortalized this courageous moment in history, for David's words bear a profound message to
all of us who are in God's Family; He does not deliver with the "sword and spear", the things and people we look to for
help in a crisis, but with the working of His power. Furthermore, and very important, His deliverance is a demonstation
of His faithfulness to us, and His unflagging resolve to accomplish His will by means of his instruments, those human
beings who make themselves available to Him, and thus, those through whom He manages history, not to mention our
individual lives.
"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." (1Sam 17:48-51)
Please note that David was a representative of the God he called Jehovah, who is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, and yet
he did not mew and simper over the issue of the enemies' death! He ran to pull out Goliath's sword and not
just kill him, but hack his big, stupid head off! Here is a loud and clear statement of God's attitude concerning
war, and the rightful role we shold play. A good Christian will be the best soldier in his outfit! He will engage with an
enemy in combat without fear, and his objective will be, not to wound the enemy, but kill him! Make damned sure he's dead!
Shoot him two or three more times to be sure (if you have the time).
Mind you, this is not an inducement to practice torture or barbarism. If it comes to pass that an enemy is captured he should
be treated humanely. On the other hand (and this is strictly my own deduction), if a prisoner has vital information that can
save the lives of my soldiers, I would torture him in a heartbeat! His extreme discomfort is far less critical an issue than
the lives of my men!
Oooooooo! I'll bet these words raise some hackles! And I hope they do! Beacuse this raises an issue that has most Christians
confused.
It's way past time that Christians cease and desist from this namby-pamby attitude toward killing an enemy, criminals or
enemy troops! You, my brethren, should be warriors elite! Men and ladies. Christians are tough! They're people
with courage and honor! We are put here with meticulous care, by the omnipotence of The Most High, to fight a prehistoric
war between the Prince of Darkness and God. It's not that God is seriously challenged, for His granting of an "appeal
trial" to Satan and his crowd is for the sakes of His elect creatures. There is no question of the outcome, but then
jousting with an arrogant, self-absorbed, head-up-his-keister creature is not some casual gesture by The Almighty, in
fact, Satan doesn't even enter into the reason...
You see, divine Justice and Righteousness has already ruled on Satan's calamitous end, and all the unnsaved. There is no
nuance of error, not even a single atom's weight! God's judgement is the expression of 10 perfect attributes, all of which
are infinite, eternal, absolute. If God says it, IT IS!!!! Period, over and out, end of story! There is, technically,
no logical reason for allowing Satan to make a case (and listen as his outcries impugn the Living God). So who benefits
from this appeal? Why does God indulge this maniac? Why does He embark upon a course of events that will mean suffering,
pain and corruption for billions, trillions of creatures?
The answer to these questions bears directly upon our subject; The battle is the Lord's, remember? I do get to
meandering sometimes, so please bear with me.
In heaven there are billions of creatures, elect angels. They are exaulted far beyond our low status
(which is fixin' to change!). These persons dwell in the third heavens, God's Kingdom. They do not have the
crude bodies we have, which is "dead" to God, but bodies of light. Unlike us humanoids, angels were created
in the eternal state, already possessing immortal life, such as we do. This realm is our destination after
death, but I digress.
The elect angels are what remains of the population of the vast frontiers of the Realm of The Most High...those who
expressed positive volition toward God as we do when we accept Christ as our Savior. But even though they are given,
from the beginning of their existence, a spectacular mentality, probably 10,000 times greater than ours, they see God
from one perspective only, and God wants them to see farther into His Person, and draw them more deeply into His breast.
This end is accomplished as the angels observe God's management of human affairs.
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
that repenteth." (Luke 15:10)
"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we
are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." (1Cor 4:9)
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name
out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels." (Rev 3:5)
"Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister
the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the
Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1Pet 1:12)
God's unfailing grace has delivered us from eternal damnation, with no labors on our part, and His patience,
kindness and Love are the glorious dimensions of God that the elect angels relish to observe. In accordance with
the principle that "knowledge begats love", the angels' love for God is heightened by their expanded knowledge of
Him, and there is a corresponding flow of blessing that attends this love. Just as in our existence; God reveals
Himself to the fullest extent that creature capacity can embrace, and to one end; That we will come to love Him.
So what happened to the Jews after David's victory?
"And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou
come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to
Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines,
and they spoiled their tents. And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his
armour in his tent. And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the
host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. And the king said,
Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him,
and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou,
thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. (1Sam 17:52-58)
David's victory in the Valley of Elah, and his unparalleled reign over Israel, are the direct product of his trust in
God, an aquired capacity which is based upon God's Word in our souls. We are either instruments of the divine
hand as it moves through history, or instruments of the enemy, there is no middle ground.
The accounts of David's exploits, and the many other heroes of the scriptures, exist for our benefit. They are
documented evidence, breathed by the Holy Spirit Himself as to their veracity, of God's resolve to carry out His
plan through His agents in the human race.
As those agents, we are afforded His assurance of protection, promotion, and blessing which extends beyond time. Our
superlative performance in this life is richly rewarded in heaven, for we are "vessels of righteousness", the
"containers" that God has ordained to be filled with His glory, and that effulgence is generated by "The Mind of Christ"
as we assemilate it into our own mentality. Thereby are those same divine standards established that David carried
with him into battle against a formidable enemy, an enemy that struck fear into the hearts of his comrades.
This same power, and even a greater degree, are extended to every believer. To accept the will of God, and subordinate
ourselves to His plan, is the fulfilment of our destiny.
We cannot fathom the angelic conflagration that is waged, even to this hour, in heaven, but we can observe the
manifestation of the conflict in time. The earth and it's population are the arena where Good and evil are locked in mortal
combat. It is our happy station to be given the opportunity to pick up the colors and march in step with The Lord of
Hosts. His victory is sure, and at His coming with the angels of heaven to vanquish the forces of Satan at Armeggedon,
the last war on earth, we can be chosen rulers with Him, Kings of the nations of earth.
But just as every soldier on that hill those thousands of years ago had the same chance to demonstrate the might of
God in deliverance, only one young man exlpoited grace. So it is in our generations, that each of us is given equal
opportunity and priviledge, and our provisions are far greater than what David had....our Royal status forever for one
thing, to wield the Sword of The Spirit in this spiritual war.
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