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Friday, February 20, 2015

Work of Man or Miracle of God?


We all know the story of David and Goliath – the famous Bible story of boy versus beast, hero versus villain.  Boys in particular like this story because they can picture themselves on the battlefield like David getting ready to fight the giant in front of all of the armies watching.  I wonder if George Lucas got his idea of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from the Bible?



While the battle scene is likely the most exciting scene in the story, I am drawn to the part of the story that leads up to the dramatic conclusion.  I like to ask the question “how in the world did a little boy, David get in that spot to fight Goliath in the first place?” 

The reason David is the hero of the story is that someone else did not step up; that someone else should have been Saul.  Saul was the King of Israel.  He was anointed and appointed by God to lead and to protect Israel. 


However, Saul relied too much on his own skill and strength.  Saul came from a prominent family.  He was tall and strong and was a natural leader.  So, when this monster, Goliath comes on the scene, Saul retreats to his tent and tries to figure out how he is going to defeat the giant.  Saul acted like he was trying figure out a strategy, when in reality, he was paralyzed by fear. 


David, on the other hand, did not hesitate.  He spoke up against the giant and faced him head-on in the battlefield – with no fear! Though David was just a young boy, David had developed a great faith in His God.




At one point, just before David rushed on to the battlefield, Saul instructed his men to fit David with Saul’s armor and weapons.  Saul was trying to help David.  However, the armor only constrained David.  David insisted on fighting without it.





Saul saw only a physical battle
David knew it was a spiritual battle

Saul saw a giant
David focused on God

Saul thought it would take a work of man
David knew that it would take a miracle of God



The battle scene is epic.  It’s breath taking.  It’s why I always wanted to be Luke Skywalker.  With only a sling shot in his hand, David stood before Goliath and said:

 I Samuel 17 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel!"

David slung a stone at the giant hitting him right between the eyes! The giant fell and David killed him by cutting off his head!



However, unlike Luke Skywalker in the movie, Star Wars, it’s not just some “Force” that guides David – 

it’s God, the GREAT I AM, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who fights for Him!


Put your faith in God.  Stand up against the giants in your life – through the power of God.

Surrender your life to Jesus Christ today.  He will make you a Victor!