David's Example

 

If we are looking for a blessing from God it would be a good idea to flip through the pages of history. The Book of Psalms is a great place to start. David the shepherd boy, giant slayer and king was a man after God’s own heart. If its wisdom you want to study David. A well-rounded man who understood copious amounts of the everyday struggle of life that we ourselves face. If I allow my mind to tap into the imagery of his life and view it through a Director's lens, I see men, obviously Israeli, scrambling around a large battlefield table perfectly positioned in the middle of a tent considering their upcoming alternatives with a panicked emphasis on how to defeat Goliath, an almost impossible task. Here I see I clear indication of a shepherd boy, barely a man understanding a principle that the Apostle Paul teaches many years later, in fact thousands. The Option we face on a daily basis, do we put on the mind of Christ or do we look to our carnal abilities to overcome the day? “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.” (Romans 8:6-7)    

 

Who would dare to tackle the mission, the terms had been thrown down, and whoever was left standing would be the victor. Goliath the giant man representing the Philistines a mighty man of Valour with innumerable notches carved into his belt which in itself told many a story. A freaked Israel looking to King Saul for the solution, on one hand hoping he would be man enough to take up the challenge, whilst on the other doubting he had the ability to tackle the giant. Whilst the faithful few tucked away in the corners held their peace trusting their God for victory. “Faith without works is dead…” God will never deny himself. David then enters the scene on a completely different errand. Summoned by his father Jesse to deliver food to his brothers who had followed Saul and where now with him on the frontline awaiting the upcoming battle against the Philistines. It what David then witnesses that seems to floor him, a giant, a man from Gath standing over ten feet tall defying the God of Israel, as he arrogantly took up his position on his side of the battlefield and bellowed these words; “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.”  A parley between two men to decide their nation’s fate, to be enslaved or the end up being served by slaves. This went on for 40 days, Goliath took his stand morning and evening and each day his challenge left the Israeli leadership cowering. The mood of the camp was one of great fear.       

 

It’s at this point that God introduces a man of faith, almost accidentally sandwiched into the scene, but we know better, the providence of God now on display. David a man after Gods own heart on a mission to deliver bread to his brothers now witnesses the commotion. Let us stop and think for a minute, why was David referred to as “a man after Gods own heart”? As the story unfolds we see David is not filled with fear, because he, just like Abraham believes God. Who amongst us can honestly say we believe God when the trial of life presses in? Currently there is no greater strain that I face than the finical pressures of life. The burden of being an encumbrance to others drives me to a place of despair and unbelief pounds viciously at the door. This is why I love the Word of God and the examples we are able to glean from the Bible, it realigns the rudder and nourishes our souls. It feeds us, empowering us to get through another season. The test of faith must come for all, I believe it is a key fundamental for the Christians' walk, without it we will never truly learn to depend upon the grace of God. When we stay the course, the reward always far outweighs the trial. The greater the blessing the harder the struggle, seems to be a no-brainer for me. I may be wrong, but I do not think so!

 

We should all know how the story ends, if not let me not influence the lessons you can take from it, the account is to be found 1Samuel 17, read it and glean from it as there is a fortune of nourishment for the soul.

 

Father God give me the strength to humbly sit at the feet of my glorious Saviour and to wait for his Instruction, whatever that may be and not to always try to force his hand so that my flesh may benefit. Teach me your ways my God, Hallowed be they name, all hail King Jesus now and forever more, amen and amen!

 

Signing out

 

Tyrone 

Choose your Weapon

 

The greatest commanders of all time will all have a similar mantra that they lived by, to win a battle one must understand their enemy. For an undercover agent to be successful they need to become one with those whom they look to infiltrate. When it comes to war, humans with their hunger for power, have always searched out preferred weapons of choice. The Spartans use defence as a strength, A Hoplon Shield was “made from wood and the outer part was covered with bronze, they weighed around 30 pounds and measured 3 feet in diameter. One of the unique features of the shield was the way it was held. The handle was at the edge of the shield supported by a leather strap in the center. It was this technique that allowed the soldiers to freely move their arms during battle. The size of the shield also acted as a floating device. The hoplon shield could be used for bludgeoning and killing due to its weight and blunt nature. The shield was primarily for defensive purposes but was used by the Spartans to gain an element of surprise.”

 

I could spend a lot more effort here, but time does not permit, so here is the conclusion; “Weapons from the ancient world were nasty, brutal, and ruthless. They were not only unique, but also displayed high levels of analytical and critical skill from the past. Their uniqueness and the material they were made from could be enough to startle and then eventually slaughter the enemy. The weapon choice was often a crucial part of the battle strategy, for example, the Spartans used their big hoplon shields alongside other weapons to march forward and disarm the opponent.”

 

In order to neutralise ones opponent we need a weapon of choice that will have every chance of success. Today all the major powers have nuclear missiles to threaten their enemies and keep them in line. Have you ever really considered what Satan’s preferred weapon of choice is? We are well aware that he uses our weakness, our default abilities of buckling to the pressures of sin as a means to an end, but this is not his preferred weapon of excellent. He uses trickery as his number one form of attack. His ability to twist the Word of God to mean what it doesn’t is what works best for him. His endgame is to get individuals to believe a lie as fact; “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”  (Revelation 19:6) - He is so skilled with this ability that he even got one third of the angels to defy God. He deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, and he has deceived ever religious organization throughout the ages up until now, who do not believe that Jesus Christ is the “way, the truth and the life”, that He is God and the only way to heaven. And I must remind you why deception is so powerful, as it results with the one who has been deceived into believing a lie to be true.

 

Why would he approach his quest in such a manner, I believe it is because God’s weapon of choice is His Word. He spoke creation into being. Did you know that all it takes for God to create or destroy something is for Him to speak and it happens. It’s not as if He has to forge a weapon to achieve His objective. We know that “God said, let there be light” and the light appeared, period! And in that great battle where the nations of the world will gather and look to defeat God, it will be a one-sided matter. God will just say the Word and victory will be His.

 

“(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.” (Revelation 16:15-21) – In this account God commands, “It is done” and mayhem breaks out upon the earth. He speaks and it happens. Satan and all his followers will be defeated. All those factions who have been sucked into his web of deception will fall and face the judgment of God and then down the track the final sentence will follow.

 

Do not be fooled into believing the lie that this day will not happen…

 

The only question left for us to answer is do we believe God at His word or not?

 

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.”

(1Timothy 6:20-21)  

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone