Date Published: 06/21/2009
When does my success or failure put God’s reputation on the line? Obviously this takes a challenge greater than what I could accomplish myself. The outcome must also point to God and not to me. I must also trust that God not only can but will work.
When young David goes up against Goliath, he sounds brash and presumptuous. “Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32) But a close reading of the text suggests that he was not cocky but totally confident in God. David is offended that the Philistine warrior defies the God of Israel. (vv. 36, 45) At the beginning of the story, David seems to reject Saul’s armor because it is just too clumsy for him. (v. 39) But when he faces Goliath, he wants everyone to “know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s.” (v. 47)
Depending on the wrong things for security is all too easy. Nations depend on military power. Companies depend management strategies. Churches depend on pastors and leaders. Individuals depend on wealth or intelligence. All faulty and fragile! History and the Bible agree.
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