Planning on David killing Goliath seemed as impossible as a gutter ball getting a strike in bowling. Yet Mary Higgins had such an experience in Gander, Newfoundland, when bowling in a warped bowling alley. Clark, Kitchen Privileges, 69. The warped alley explained Mary's strike. Nothing but God's intrusion in the confrontation between David and Goliath explained that outcome. A miracle, remember, isn't an answer to prayer, though they're often specifically remarkable enough to elicit "it's a miracle." But it isn't. It's simply God answering the prayers of his people, as Jesus assured he would Matthew 7:7-12.
How, then, does a stripling fell an oak, minus tunic, helmet, armor and sword? For when David left Saul's tent stripped to his "work clothes," out walked a shepherd boy, unarmed but for an empty sling. To the edge of the hill he strode, accompanied by shouts of approval from Israel's army. Over its side he went, scrambling, feet first, arms held behind breaking his fall, till he reached the dry stream bed below. There he bent, chose five smooth stones from the scores lying around, armed his sling and stuffed the reserve into his shepherd's pouch. Then off to meet the foe...KNOWING that GOD ALONE could use his youth to kill a warrior from his youth. Understand the initiative that precipitated the conflict. For 40 days only braggadocio from Goliath split the morning and evening quiet. Now, on day 41, ACTION occured when the lad presented himself to the HULK! David went forward to engage the enemy; as God ordered ancient Israel forward to escape the Egyptian horde behind, with only the deep and dark Sea of Reeds ahead! Jesus saw Satan hiding behind his fortress walls, fearing the attack of God's people, knowing he couldn't withstand the power unleashed against him Matthew 16:18. Instead, God often sees his people withdrawn into their sanctuaries and Bible studies to save themselves, complaining of being besieged by wicked forces condemning us for Christ-like righteousness. Action BY God's people against every satanic stronghold in society must characterize the church in every age, including ours, including now. Question: when have we last used what we learned from messages and Bible studies to evangelize people lost in the multiple deceptions Satan uses to keep them chained inside their fears? David's forward motion to the contest is the past event that best teaches us what direction we should go as Christians. Get involved with "down and out" people, where they hurt, where they struggle to find reality, where they merely exist awaiting their end and need to KNOW where they can LIVE delighting in their end. With "up and out" people, trusting their education, career, social position or fame to save them in the END, when only Christ's Grace suffices! Then we can verify in our lives what Paul wanted Philemon to demonstrate in his, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ" Philemon 6. End Part V
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