Read 1 Sam. 17:32-33,37,40-51 Ps.144:1-2,9-10 Mark 3:1-6
“And the Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, ‘Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.’ Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” (1 Samuel 17:42-45)
People were scared of Goliath, even the whole armies of Israel felt downcast, discouraged and weak. David walked into the scene and guess what he asked: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?” (1 Samuel 17:26).
David who had just been anointed by Samuel had a positive attitude to danger. While others imagined the worst, David saw an opportunity to thrive. Even our worst experiences come with certain gifts or at least life lessons. I am convinced that God allowed Goliath to threaten Israel just to give David a chance to rise to glory. God will never let you pass through fire unless He wants to use it for your good.
When your back is against the wall and you start asking: “God where are you?” the correct question you should be asking is: “God, what is the gift you have wrapped for me within this situation?” A positive attitude changes everything, a positive attitude is a sign of faith, an indicator of anointing.
David’s courage was fuelled by a memory of how God granted him victory over the lions and wild animals who tried to attack his father’s flock. And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37). David was not an ungrateful person. He remembered that experience because He gave thanks.
If we don’t give thanks to God adequately, we forget what He has done in the past, and in the face of danger, we find ourselves panicking unnecessarily. To panic is to assume God cannot help you. To panic is to have little faith as Jesus said disappointedly to the disciples when they were beaten by waves at sea. (Matthew 8:26). The moment of danger is not a time to panic, it is a time to remember what God has done for you in the past. The Moment of Danger is a time to sing praises to God not a time for tears.
David refused to wear Saul’s armor not just because he couldn’t move but because deep down within him, he knew that his protection does not depend on the helmet of bronze, the coat of mail, and the sword. Upon approaching Goliath, David said: “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David had full confidence in God. He did not approach Goliath trusting in his stones or catapult, he approached Goliath in the name of God.
When next you are faced with adversity, take it as a challenge to deepen your spiritual life, awaken your faith, become more grateful, count your blessings, appreciate God for what He has done in the past, and to increase your faith in Him. Do not run from pillar to post or from church to church, do not go from one prayer house to another.
Be careful of those who ascribe extraordinary powers to witches and wizards. This is a trick often employed by persons who seek to take advantage of you; first, they make you believe you are under the power of witches (trust me, you are not under their power), then they use your fear against you; they end up worsening your situation. Adversity can come to anyone. God alone can deliver you, not any so-called man or woman of God.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make me like David today. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Sam. 17:32-33,37,40-51 Ps.144:1-2,9-10 Mark 3:1-6).