This part studies the second reason young David knew he couldn't fail to kill Goliath: he would engage the enemy using the giftedness God provided.
Using Judges 3:10, 11:29 and 13:25 as references to the Spirit's anointing of three Hebrew men, "the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power" implies extraordinary giftedness in courage, faith and physical strength. It certainly involved a warrior's belligerence uncommon in a boy. Wouldn't we expect that since David's prowess in war became legendary in his time? But he had to fight God's physical battles within the parameters God provided. That's why, when Saul prepared David for war as he prepared himself—tunic, armor, helmet, sword—David couldn't function. Saul's good intentions shackled the lad. He suffered a symbolic failure. He wasn't "used to them" physically as he was even more a stranger to such weapons spiritually. He would succeed Saul as king, but in defense of God's Kingdom, not as a secular royal defending himself. Indeed, David proved a naturally brave man, and a model of courage for his men, as II Samuel 21:15-22 makes clear. They fought in apparently hopeless situations, but with COURAGE by seeing it in David. But other brave adult warriors in David's youth existed, Jonathan included, but none chose to test Goliath. David did precisely because he felt chosen by God, not merely brave. Thus, putting aside all that a physical warrior would need to wage war, David exited Saul's tent as a shepherd, in peasant's clothing, unarmed except for an empty sling. To summarize, in God's mind, Saul had ceased being king, David succeeding. In God's mind, and also in God's historical time. David didn't spend the years between the Holy Spirit's anointing and Saul's death intriguing against the king, actively recruiting rebels to share his insurrection. The opposite is true, as even a cursory reading of I Samuel 17-23 proves. Question: have we tried to serve God in a way, or in a ministry, in which we found ourselves out of our depth, or out of our interest level? Could it be that we're using only gifts we WANT to use while leaving UNUSED God's gifts he wants activated? And believe this writer, one can use God-given gifts without visible success. We serve God best, and longest, and most willingly, doing what HE has gifted us to do. Naturally, it isn't even thinkable that Christians WOULDN'T serve God. The saved must be witnesses to the unsaved—and to the hurting, the troubled, the sick, etc. But it's necessary for leaders to help Christians discover their spiritual gifts AND ways they can profitably use them for Jesus. End Part IV
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