Day 140 – May 20, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17, Psalm 27 “Be Strong and take Heart, wait for the Lord.” 1 Samuel 17 tells us of the familiar story of David and Goliath. This story makes up the fabric of our culture. When a 15 seed beats a 2 seed in the NCAA tournament we get excited that David beat Goliath. Or if there is an incredible disparity between talent, the game is built up as a matchup between David and Goliath. Is that the purpose of David and Goliath? To inspire the underdogs of the world? We tell people to go slay their giants. Is David and Goliath’s purpose to be fodder for a motivational speech to defeat our enemies? I’m sorry to disappoint, but no, I don’t think so. The story’s purpose is to inspire us in the worship and loyalty to our God. The point is not that David rose to the challenge, but that God proved himself faithful. There was no way possible for the giant to fall, but he does, at the hands of God. It is like this story that we read a few days ago: “After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold. The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors.” (1 Samuel 5:1–6, TNIV) The Philistine god Dagon falls and God decapitates him. David now decapitates the fallen Philistine champion Goliath. God is showing himself mightier than all other gods. In this narrative, God is proving himself over the Philistines. But this is quite similar to what God does throughout Exodus to show himself superior to the gods of Egypt. God is the Lord Almighty. God’s faithfulness, accompanied by the trust of David in this moment, works to renew the Israelites faith in God. They cowered in fear of the Philistines. When the Philistine champion falls, it serves as proof enough for the Israelites to renew their strength and they shout and scream and run after them! David reflects back, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) With God as the stronghold of our life, of whom shall we be afraid? Have a great day! Jordan
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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