I have come to this passage again because the Global Giant of Abortion is massive and overwhelming at times, and once in awhile discouragement begins to settle in my soul. Sometimes, or rather continually, I feel very small compared to the Giant of global abortion.
During these days of feeling so insignificant the Lord through His grace brings me to His word for strength, hope and focus. So, please allow me to share this rather long blog as I venture into this wonderful place of believing God loves small things. I begin this entry by revisiting this heart felt, hope filled story of David and Goliath.
I Samuel 17 (Let no one loose heart…)
The Philistine armies gathered for battle on one mountain, and the Israelite armies gathered for battle on an opposite mountain with only a valley between them.
Every day a giant of a man named Goliath came out to challenge Israel to battle. His challenge was, “Send one man to fight me and whoever looses become the servant of the victor.” (17:9)
When Saul and his army saw this giant and heard his challenge they were dismayed and afraid! (17:11)
This continued for 40 days, morning and evening, twice every day. Eighty (80) verbal challenges and mockings of God’s people. (17:16)
David enters the scene. David was the youngest of eight brothers, sons of Jesse. The three oldest brothers followed Saul into battle against the Philistines. Jesse sent David into the Israel camp to bring food for his brothers and their Captain and to gather information on how they are doing.
When he arrived, the armies had gathered once again. Goliath jeered them once again and once again when Saul’s army saw Goliath they fled and were dreadfully afraid. (17:24)
David started asking questions; “What shall be done for the man that kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?” (17:26)
Wow! The king would offer everything you could possibly desire including his daughters hand in marriage. (17:26)
David’s brother Eliab overheard David asking these questions and got angry and jealous stating David was full of pride and neglectful of the sheep he was supposed to be shepherding. (17:28)
David just walked away and continued his questioning.
Saul heard of David in the camp and sent for him. After David arrived in the presence of the king he made a profound statement:
“Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (17:32)
Wow! This caught Saul offguard and he quickly responded by saying, “You can’t do this, you’re only a boy.” (17:33) In other words, you’re too small!
No one believed in David. He stood alone.
What was David’s response to the king’s comment? “I have killed both the lion and bear. I will do the same to this Philistine!”
Why? “Because he has defiled the armies of the living God!” (17:36)
Saul gave in and released David saying, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” Saul tried to put his armor on David but it was too big and awkward so David took it off, picked up his sling, stopped by the steam and picked up five small smooth stones and ran towards Goliath.
Then Goliath mocked David for only being a boy and tried to fill David with fear by his statements. But David only got more determined and he declared boldly to Goliath, “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 defiled.” (17:45)
“This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” (17:46a)
“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.”
David proceeded to do just that. He charged, not a calculated crawl, but rather a run with wreckless abandon toward Goliath, focused, very confident, not missing a stride, not hesitating, sprinting toward his target.
He took out one small stone, just one. He slung that stone with accuracy and might striking Goliath in his weakest spot, his head! Killing him on the spot. He pulled out Goliaths sword and cut off his head.
As all of Israel watched and stood in amazement, it was not until David held the head of Goliath up and the Philistine armies started to run that the armies of Israel gained confidence, turned from their fear and pursued the Philistines with a shout plundering their camp and destroying their army.
Don’t you love it when we win? Victory feels so good! No one likes to lose. And, when we win it usually impacts more people other than ourselves. In this situation David transformed a paralyzed Israeli army into a victorious fighting machine!
Many of us, and I dare say all of our friends in other countries are in a similar situation today. We are facing a Giant in the land. For some of you, the Giant gets bigger every day. It seems we cannot win.
Finances are so hard to obtain. Leadership is equally difficult to find. Most people do not understand the vision or need. Very few come alongside you to join the fight. It seems that the church itself is silent and unwilling to help. There are very few people who will actually stand with you against the giant in your country. You feel very alone and overwhelmed.
It’s time to respond as David did because we serve the same God that David served.
How did David do this?
- David held a different perspective than everyone else. They saw a Giant, he saw opportunity.
- David’s methods were different. He used his proven unconventional weapons over conventional weapons. (Prayer, anointing and a slingshot)
- David’s convictions were different. Goliath had no covenant with God, he did!
- David had different motives. The threats of Goliath were shallow compared to the promises of David’s God.
- David’s vision was different. He desired above all else that Yahweh would be known to the whole world.
- David’s held a different attitude. He saw Goliath not as a big threat but rather a Giant target that couldn’t be missed.
My message to you today is this, “Do not lose heart because of this Giant called abortion. You are not alone! You may feel very small and insignificant compared to this Goliath. Remember, God loves small things.
David was small. His pouch filled with five smooth stones was very small. The one stone he chose was a laughing matter to the giant. In his smallness he charged forward in a giant way never looking back, changing the landscape of smallness verses bigness forever.
Remember David’s statement. I will fight him! His action compels us to ask a similar question, will we fight him?”
When we do, the armies of God will take notice and they will regain their strength and run in victory and righteousness all over the earth!
Note: Sections of this blog adapted from content found in the NIV Leadership Bible and the John Maxwell Leadership Bible.
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