A Fight Based on Facts

When you have to prepare for a battle, it is best to know your enemy before the fight. It is then good to know what and who you bring to the fight. There is one certainty. The battle will end with both losing or one of those engaged in the fight will win and the other will lose.

When it comes to equipment, young David was ill-prepared. Saul’s armor did not fit. David was only equipped with the weapons of a shepherd. Yet it wasn’t the what that mattered, it was the who.

In 1 Samuel 17:10-11 the challenge was great. “And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”

Five-Minute Friday FIGHT

David, who had newly arrived at the battlefield had thoughts different from every other soldier. “And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’” 1 Samuel 17:37

The Who Matters

David recognized the one who had the real power to overcome Goliath was not his own talent, cunning or strength. He knew the Lord was his deliverer. Even cowardly Saul acknowledged that the only way to win was if “the Lord be with you.”

This historical account is NOT about David fighting a giant and winning. This story is one of David’s faith in the only one who could win the victory. So it is with those who are followers of Jesus.

The Rest of the Story

I find it interesting what happened in the next days after David’s success. The success continued not because of David’s growing popularity and “strength” but because “the Lord was with him.”

“Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him.” 1 Samuel 18:12-14

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

I started by saying you need to know your enemy. The follower of Jesus knows the real enemy. What is needed is a shield. The shield is faith, but it is only one part of the whole armor provided. And the faith is focused on the WHO. The who is Jesus.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.