June 27, 2018 Wednesday

“4  And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5  He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6  And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7  Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 8  Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9  “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10  And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11  When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” (1Samuel 17:4-11 NKJV)

            Wayne Watson wrote a song called “Giants in the Land” which is based on this passage. The song applies this story to our everyday lives for like David each of us must face the Giants in our lives and the Giants in our world.

            When the Giants stand before us arrayed in armor and with fearful weapons we like the Army of Israel can become dismayed and greatly afraid. We become unwilling to stand against the giant and for God! Our fear of defeat and becoming enslaved actually enslaves us.

            Rather than defeating the Giants we quietly give into them and eventually we become like them! Even if we do not become like them our silence supports them. We strengthen evil by our fear and our silence.

            Evil is not only destructive but self-destructive and though it looks impressive there are open places in its armor and through Jesus Christ evil can be overcome and destroyed.

            Without the power of Jesus we truly are unable to face evil but through the power of Jesus even a small stone can defeat the powerful enemy! We fear evil because we know in our souls we are powerless against it but through Jesus evil will fall!

            Evil is self-destructive because the beliefs of those who follow evil accept and live are destructive in themselves! The commandments of God are not only the true way to avoid destruction but they enable us to receive and use the power of God.

            The love of Jesus strengthens us and gives sight to see the weakness of evil and its fear of God.  That is why evil movements of contrasting believes join together to fight good and God.

            Throughout history evil has sought to destroy God’s children.  Because they are unable to harm God they seek to hurt God by hurting those God loves! This is to us who trust in Jesus Christ a sign that the Giants fear God and they know of their ultimate defeat!

            Do you live in fear of the evil in you and around you? Do you cry out to God and ask by faith to see the weakness of evil through the power of God? Are you willing to stand for God and against the evil you see in this world?