All Show and No Go!

Love for One Another Inclusive Love Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Love and Devotion to Others 1 Samuel 17:41-51 New International Version 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield-bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” 45 David said to the Philistine, “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, whom you have defied. 46 This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand, he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. For Reflection This story turns around a larger than life soldier in his glittering armor and shining weapons who the opposing forces feared so much that they ran in retreat rather than fight. The Philistine despised David out of jealously of Davids's youth and good looks. He taunts David by belittling him. Some have said that his out of the norm size may have indicated a condition that spurred his growth but made him very nearsighted. If true, despite his size, strength, and attending weaponry, he may not have been able to fight as well as a normally sited person. His power stemmed from his show of might, not his ability as a warrior. David, a righteous believer who was obedient to God, was underestimated not only by this warhorse of a man but also by the Philistine commanders and David's leaders. David was confident of his skills and in God's protection. David proclaims that it is not the armament in defense of Godless cultures that should be feared in such a daunting adversary, but the armor of God's Word. The death of the warrior in whom the Philistines placed their trust and boasted about, resulted in a fearful retreat. And so it is in civil strife.  The boastful and empty Godless among us are no match to those whose foundation is anchored in obedience to the word of God. Pray Pray so that you will develop confidence in the love, grace, and rightness of obedience to the word of God. Forward to a friend