That They May Know You

Scripture: I Samuel 17:45-47

Here comes David. Young David – but not too young to be faithful. Armorless David – yet armed with the armor that matters most – the strength of the Lord. Here he comes. Through the dry book, picking carefully his stones. Purposefully placing himself face to face with a literal giant in the land.

  

Why? What was the motivation behind this shepherd’s boy decision? Did he care so little for his life that he would carelessly throw it away to a pagan?

Oh, no. It wasn’t like that at all. David had seen God’s deliverance before in his life. He was well aware of Divine intervention. He had known God’s Presence as he wrote his songs. He had a heart patterned after God’s own heart. He had a reason, a passion for living. The line of his faith and the allegiance to His God had been crossed. Goliath could not continue to defy the armies of the living God!

Standing out boldly in his answer to this Philistine’s mocking and disdain of him is the reason for his bravery. A purpose much bigger than himself. “. . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” I Samuel 1:46b

David faced down the false accusations of his brother, Eliab who accused him of pride and insolence of heart. (v.28) He asks the question of him, “. . . is there not a cause?” (V. 29)

He faced down the temptation to accept the armor of King Saul Himself! Wouldn’t a proud person have strutted around, thinking of his grand exaltation wearing royal fighting gear. Not David. The purpose He was fighting for left no room for exalting self.

He faced down the taunts of the Philistine giant himself. He recognized each piece of his warfare – and its incapability’s glared in the sunlight in comparison to Who he came armed with. “. . . I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have denied.”(v.45)

He was a young man with his faith vision clear. All must know the God of Israel. This God is our God! Make Him known!

Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take It With You!

“That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:18).