Message 21
February 2016 King David Series # Reputation of God
This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine
hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the
carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air,
and to the wild beasts of the earth; that
all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (Isaiah 17:46).
Whose Reputation was at stake?
The story of David’s encounter with the giant Goliath of Gath is the
story of his deep concern for the welfare of the people of God. He was upset
that the armies of God were being defied (1 Samuel 17:26). That concern is another attitude that marked
him as a man after God’s heart. He was not ashamed of God and identified with
the people of God. God’s reputation rests on what happens to his people. It is
tied up to his people. Often they prayed, 'Lord what will the heathen say about God when they see what has happened to his
people.' The people of God comprise his armies in human form. Anything defying God’s
army is defying God. David was concerned for God's reputation, not his own. For
this he was willing to put his life and imminent kingship on the line. God's
glory was more important than his own comfort. David called out to Goliath his purpose '... that all the earth may know
that there is a God in Israel.' It is through their testimony that all people
know. God’s reputation is crucial to reaching the HARVEST. God's reputation comes from the exploits of his people.
No man was found
The Philistines had taken territory that belonged
to Judah and were threatening to take more from God’s people (17:1) And posed
a challenge: "Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to
fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill
him, you will become our subjects and serve us." (1 Samuel 17:8b-9)
For forty days Goliath daily tormented, terrified,
and tore the armies of Israel to pieces inside. They trembled and looked
helpless. They were completely disgraced. No man was found. There was only a
boy ready to face up with the challenge. ‘What will be done for the man who kills
this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?’ Forty is a
number for judgment. The enemy may seem to be having his way but its only for
season. The fortieth day has come. When judgement day arrived it did not take
an army or a big budget to stop him. The
boy from the sheepfold had faith in God. He refused to accept that the armies of
God could be defied. His sheep cote
experience inspired David as he faced Goliath. He had overcome in personal
issues and time came to face national issues.
No man was found. David had learnt obedience in non-impressive
tasks. He obeyed his father to take provisions for his brothers and that
connected him with his defining opportunity. God looks at the heart not the
physical stature nor formal training nor social status. He used David to show
how desperate the situation was. Saul thank God for his insanity allowed the
untrained boy to face the giant. He used David to show that even the most
ordinary, unimportant, despised and marginalised can overcome if they trust the
Lord. Eliab despised him and the little flock he kept. Yet the little flock
taught David the lessons for giant killing. Saul did not know David nor his
father had David had played the harp for him in the Palace (Samuel 17:57 – 58).
Goliath looked down on him and said ‘am I a dog that you come at me with
sticks?’ (17:43a). God however honoured David’s faith. The battle was not for
the strong and the swift but for the believing. David did not know what he was
walking into but he was ever ready – in season and out of season. When he
understood what was going on, he decided enough was enough and it was time to
enforce God’s authority and reclaim and keep what was theirs.. David had learnt
to be fearless. ‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw
of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine 1 Samuel 17:37). If
God calmed storms in the past and he will calm them today and tomorrow.
David stepped out in faith. For you also the battle
is the Lord’s and the victory is yours. If God is in control it is well. While
you may not always win in faith you can never lose. What looks like a defeat in
your eyes, may just be a victory in God’s eyes.
David
removed the disgrace
David’s walk in the valley of Ela towards Goliath
could be the valley of death he wrote about in Psalm 23. He feared no evil because God was with
him (Psalm 91). God to him was the Lord of hosts – one beyond
measure, commander of innumerable soldiers, fighter of battles and giver of
victory. He refused Saul's
armor. He took five stones as a sign of
grace and wisdom. . Maybe his sheepfold experience required several attempts.
He however made it with one stone and wearing no armor.
Goliath declared curses to David. David in returned
decreed something against Goliath., He would give his flesh as meat for beasts of fields and birds of air. In
forty days the valley of Ela echoed a different voice. He retorted, excuse me.
Don't starve the beasts and birds. Not just you but the Philistine army will be
their meat. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All
those gathered here including Israel which was trembling, will know that it is
not by sword or spear that the LORD saves (1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Chronicles
20:15. He also recognized the covenant God had with his people when he asked
who the uncircumcised Philistine was to
challenge them. This shifted the momentum and the rest was history.
Application
You and I are fighters in the Lord's army. The
enemies of God are still posing the same challenge to the people of God. David faced Goliath. What issues are you facing? Unless you arise to stop them they will
not disappear. The enemy will continue to kill steal and destroy. Bring the fortieth day to
pass. When you make choices remember that the challenges you face are not
financial. They are not marital. They are not social. They are not political.
They are not intellectual. They are nothing but God's reputation on the
test. God’s reputation is at stake. Preserve
it before your personal pride.
Cultivate a strong relationship with God. David did
not just meet regularly with God but walked with God. He did not just mark his
Bible but was marked by his Bible. What will the
lord do for you in face of your situation.
What will you say of the Lord? David also noted:
"No
king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great
strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great
strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on
those whose hope is in his unfailing love....We wait in hope for the LORD; he
is our help and our shield." (Psalm 33:16-18, 20)
"I do
not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us
victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our
boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever." (Psalm 44:6-8)
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith
Life Center.
First Floor Dhando House,
66 Eloff Street Extension,
Village Deep,
Johannesburg,
South Africa
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