"run to the battle"pt. 1

"A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels(125 lbs); on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and it's iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? 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." Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

I Samuel 17: 4-11

"the great pretender"

Often in life, situations arise that may cause us to stop, and assess things in our life. We may face these situations, and wonder, how did we get here? Decisions we've made, paths we've gone down, people we have close or casual acquaintances with, can bring us to evaluate them, in light of these situations. It might very well be, that we find ourselves in this position, because of our own decisions. It also might be the result of the enemy's attacks in our lives. In either case, it is always an opportunity for Faith to be tested , and strengthened. In these times of trial, and introspection, proper Faith will correct wrong thinking in our decision making process, and instruct us on the right way, and moves us forward. Improper faith, causes anxiety, apprehension, and fear, that brings about indecision, and to rely on our own thought process, and abilities, apart from God.

In today's passage, we see Israel presented with a seemingly overwhelming "giant of a situation", in Goliath. All of his physical attributes, and weapons of warfare, are described in detail, laying out a very intimidating figure. His manner depicts arrogance, and utmost confidence in himself, and his abilities. King Saul and the Israelites are discouraged, afraid, and indecisive in this seemingly impossible situation.They were intimidated by Goliath. By his indecision, Saul reveals his spiritual state.

In Chapter 15 (please read), Saul disobeyed God, and was rejected by God as king of Israel. He partially repented, in that he recognized his sin, when revealed by Samuel. He stated he had sinned, because he was afraid of the people and gave in to them. He acknowledged his sin and sought forgiveness from Samuel, not the Lord Whom he disobeyed. He compounds the sin, and shows his true character, and begs Samuel to come back and honor him before the elders of Israel. Religion and religious people are more concerned with appearances, and what people see and think, more so than the Lord.

Rituals and vain traditions of man, are not pleasing to the Lord, as Saul thought. He justified his sin, by saying the plunder of the war with the Amalekites , was justified in that, the best was devoted to be sacrificed to God, when the Lord told him to completely destroy those wicked people. Samuel states to Saul, that obedience is better than sacrifice. He also tells Saul, for his rejection of the Word of the Lord, the Lord has rejected him as king. This results in the Spirit of the Lord, departing from him, and an evil spirit comes to him. Tormented by this evil spirit, he goes from being a contender of a leader for God's people, to a pretender of one. A depraved mind, ruled by fear, anger, jealousy,and indecision, shows us of a life without the Lord.

Life without the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection and correction, leaves people open to the influence of the spirits of the world, and the devil. Our human condition without the Lord, is influenced by the world we live in, our own fleshly desires, and satan's lies. We need to be growing in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord, lest we fall. The Apostle Peter, tells us to be diligent in making our calling and election sure, and if we do we will never fall.(2 Peter 1:10) Apostasy, doesn't come like a tire blowing out, it's more like a slow leak, little by little, until we are in a place of despair. The Lord is always there waiting, to intervene on our behalf, when we call on Him, in wholehearted repentance.(2 Chr. 7:14)

Don't fall prey to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Continue growing in your Faith, stand firm in the confession of your Faith, even in adversity. The devil is a powerful, relentless adversary, whose goal is to rob you of your Faith. But he is not all powerful, he is the great pretender. Humble yourself, submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you (Jas. 4: 6&7). We have one who contends for us, interceding on our behalf , seated at the Right Hand of the Father, and in every situation we face. Stand with Him, be a contender of the Gospel, and don't give in to the father of lies. He is a created being, whose desire to be as God, makes him, the "great pretender".