Problems, Opportunities and a Ram In The Bush

Synopsis     1Sam 17:50-18:3     10/2/2018

David fought Goliath with a sling and a stone. In the valley of Elah, the Philistine was killed. David used Goliath’s own sword to finish the job.

After David’s moment of shocking victory, the Israelite army attacked. And, the Israelites routed the Philistines. In this way, the Israelite soldiers pursued the Philistines all the way back to the gates of their cities.

Abner was Saul’s commanding general and trusted advisor. The two men were also first-cousins. Saul asked Abner “who’s son” David was. Abner reported that he did not know. But after the battle, Abner brought David back to Saul.

And so, Saul asked David, “Whose son are you?” To which, David informed him that he was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem.

Whose Son Are You?

Although he seemed to be in a favorable tactical situation, Saul was anxious. Goliath had made a daily mockery of the courage and valor of the Israelite army. It was terrorism. And Saul perceived Goliath’s terror as a real problem.

So from Saul’s perspective, the arrival of an Israelite champion was sudden and unexpected. All told, Goliath had been challenging the soldiers of the army for forty days. And, no one seemed to know what to do about it. Finally, in an act of desperation, Saul went so far as to offer a reward. Yet, no champion accepted the challenge.

For his part, David was seemingly unaware of the situation. So, he stepped into the story from outside the battle scene. Yet, God had orchestrated the plan. David was always God’s solution to the problem. And so Saul, wondered, “Whose son is he?” But this was really another way of saying, “How did God do this?”

Problems, Opportunities and a Ram In The Bush

Today will be filled with challenges. And I will encounter new problems that I didn’t even know I had. I will also re-encounter problems that have challenged me for years. As a result, I may feel surprised. And at some point, I may even feel discouraged.

But, none of this will surprise God. And God is prepared to help me resolve the most difficult situations. Because God doesn’t look at problems as I do. What I call problems, He sees as the gift of opportunity. And so, if I remain steadfast and trust Him, the answer will come. I will still have to struggle. I may even have to exhaust all my effort and energy. But God always has the solution.

“Abraham looked up and saw a single ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son.” Gen 22:13

Ancient Trash Talk

 

Synopsis     1Sam 17:41-49     10/1/2018

Goliath saw his challenger approach the battle line. So, he positioned his armor bearer ahead and began the march out to meet the challenger on the battle field.

As he approached, Goliath recognized his opponent. But surprise, he was only a boy. And he wasn’t really armed. He carried only staff and a shepherd’s bag. Goliath barked out insults to the boy, intending to intimidate him.

David was the boy. And, he heard the insults. However, he ignored the distraction. He understood God’s intention for the moment. So, he worked to demonstrate God’s power through the circumstances.

Ancient Trash Talk

Goliath shouted insults. And he predicted David’s death. What’s more, Goliath threatened to “feed” David’s flesh to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the field.

The talk had a purpose. Of course, Goliath was clearly a bully who worked through intimidation. So naturally, Goliath intended to distract David’s focus. It was an effort to activate David’s imagination in a way that he could see his own failure – that he could literally see himself dead on the battlefield.

Goliath’s talk gave him additional motivation. He empowered himself by creating a clear vision of what he wanted – of what could be. As a professional warrior, Goliath was used to visioning the demise of his adversary. And speaking his vision out-loud was a method of helping focus his mind on the outcome he desired.

For his part, David wasn’t having it. He could see beyond his personal ambition. As a result, he saw what God intended to do through the circumstance. And so he spoke that vision back to Goliath with mind-blowing confidence.

Haters Hate and Talk Smack

Trash talk and smack talk are funny. Remarkably, men still use these tactics prior to military conflict. There is a certain bravado to it. But there is also a method to it. It happens with purpose.

So it’s important to understand that there are individuals out there who want to see you fail in life. Maybe they are flesh and blood human beings. Maybe it’s a grudge, or envy, or jealousy. Or, maybe you’re are up against the powers and principalities the apostle described in his letter. But, whichever the case, the negativity and discouragement can distract your attention, cause a loss of perspective, and sap your motivation to work with God.

Seeing what God is doing through your circumstances is a key. If you generally understand what He is working to accomplish, it’s not too hard to find the motivation to do His will. And if you hold on to that perspective on life, it’s pretty hard to be thrown off by the hateful words of someone who is hoping to see you fail.

“Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” Deut 31:6

Seeing My Life From God’s View

Synopsis     1Sam 17:31-40     9/29/2018

David was indignant. Goliath’s daily challenge for personal combat terrorized the Israelite soldiers. But David was unafraid. King Saul’s servants took notice of David’s lack of fear and his aggressive language. So, Saul sent for David.

David asked permission to fight the giant. At first, Saul was unwilling because David was still a youth. But he was eventually persuaded by David.

At last, he helped to prepare David for the fight by lending him his royal armor. However, the armor didn’t work for David. And so, he chose to go out to Goliath in his shepherds garb with only his sling and the five smooth stones he had gathered from the river.

Seeing From God’s View

David saw his world from the perspective of God’s view. God, he believed, ordered the world to be ruled by people. Even more so, God ordained the world to be ministered by His chosen people.

So, for David, a lion or bear attack against a sheep under his protection was a violation of God’s natural order. He saw his work as restoring this order. And God supported him. As a shepherd, he fought against both a lion and a bear. And he defeated them both.

So, he saw Goliath’s challenge in the same way. It was an affront to the order that God had established. He knew that if he remained in harmony with God’s purpose, then God would give him victory over the giant.

Seeing My Life From God’s View

The natural order of creation remains. And this is all the more true for those who have entered into new life through salvation in Christ.

So go forth and subdue the earth through love, with love and in love.

“Then he removed him and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’” Acts 13:22

Despising The Younger Brother

Synopsis     1Sam 17-21-30     9/29/2018

The Israelite and the Philistine armies were in a protracted standoff. Each army positioned itself on the two opposing hills that formed the two sides of the Elah valley. The engagement had gone on for more than forty days.

Jesse had sent David with supplies to the camp in support of his brothers who were in Saul’s army. Shortly after he arrived, he observed as Goliath came forward from the ranks of Philistines and issued his daily challenge.

The Israelite soldiers were terrified of Goliath. And this surprised David. So, as the men talked, David realized there was a bounty on Goliath’s head. According to the soldiers, Saul offered wealth and benefits to any Israelite who could kill Goliath. Even though he was rebuked by his older brother, David asked several other men to verify the nature and extent of the reward.

Despising The Younger Brother 

In anger, David’s oldest brother mocked him. He suggested that David should return to his work as a shepherd boy .

But David brushed off his brother’s mocking. He asked repeatedly from various different men about the reward. He was clearly interested in what was being offered. And, of course, the offer was substantial. The victor would receive wealth, freedom from tax payments and Saul’s daughter as a wife.

Despising Small Beginnings

It won’t be long before God’s going to ask you to do something you’ve never done before. This is His way.

So, when it happens, follow Him with everything. But keep in mind that when you do, someone is going to resist and discourage your effort.

When the resistance comes it take the form of minimizing the value of the outcome of your project. Or, it will come in the form of minimizing your ability to meet the challenges before you.

This is normal. It’s part of the process of expanding your faith. God can manage outcomes. In the end, His will – will be done. So, the only question on outcome is whether you’ll be the vessel through which he works.

As far as whether or not you have the ability to complete the thing He’s laid before you – you do. But you have this ability only because He has given it to you. And your confidence in your ability comes primarily from the fact that you have chosen to trust that He will supply all your needs.

Remember; you have the strength for everything through Him who empowers you.

You will do all things through Christ who empowers you.

“For whoever has scorned such a day of small things will rejoice to see the capstone* in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:10

The Effect of Goliath’s Challenge

Synopsis     1Sam 17:9-20     9/28/2018

The Israelite and Philistine armies were locked in a standoff at the valley of Elah. Goliath, the Philistine champion, issued a challenge for any individual from Israel to fight him personally. According to this challenge, the loser’s nation agreed to be enslaved by the winner’s.

This terrified the army of Israel. Neither King Saul, nor any of his men, were willing to go out and meet Goliath in combat. Still, every day for forty days Goliath issued his challenge in the morning and in the evening.

Meanwhile, Jesse sent David with supplies to the camp. The supplies were meant to support Jesse’s three oldest sons. And Jesse also sent additional supplies to the officer over his three sons. So, David took the supplies.

The Effect of Goliath’s Challenge

Goliath’s challenge changed the perception of the battlefront. The reality of the situation was a standoff. Our modern tendency is to see the battle in terms of David and Goliath. We imagine it especially in terms of “little David” versus giant “Goliath”. And we project that onto the battle in general. So it seemed like “little Israel” was going up against “the giant Philistines”.

But the reality was the Philistine were the aggressors. They invaded southern Israel. Yet, they were not in the tactical position to beat the Israelites. The Israelite army was defending its home territory and had a strong defensive position. All Israel had to do was outlast the Philistines and they would win. All they had to do was wait for the late harvest or else the eventual winter and the Philistines would be forced to withdraw.

The Philistines recognized this. That’s why Goliath chose to begin terrorizing the Israelites. He knew the Philistine army was unlikely to succeed if they attacked. So, their only real hope was to create panic within the Israelites. And, Saul was sensitive to this purely psychological tactic. He had not forgotten that his army had deserted him in the past.

The Negative Power of Overfocus

Sometimes it’s hard to stop thinking about something. Especially if that “thing” is somehow irritating. Maybe it’s a crying baby. Maybe it’s the way my spouse leaves the bathroom. Or maybe it’s the way my boss speaks to me.

Whatever the case, pretty soon the “thing” can become a distraction. Or, it could even become an obsession. And when it does, it’s all I can think about. And because it’s irritating, the irritation increases the more I think about it.

Saul was terrified. He couldn’t stop thinking about Goliath and his daily challenges. Over and over again, he imagined losing his army. And, he kept imagining himself as the man who failed his nation. He overfocused on Goliath to the point of distraction.

I am the same. I so easily choose to focus on the things that irritate and distract. Of course, the key to mastering overfocus is prayer. Prayer is work. Specifically, it is the work of focusing my attention entirely on my God. Because when I deliberately focus my attention on the work at hand – on God – there is no extra attention to devote to the thoughts that tend to paralyze me with fear, or foreboding, or anger, or frustration. As a result, my perspective suddenly aligns with my reality.

It’s just me and God, and the thing that God is asking me to do with this moment. Nothing else is really worthy of my attention.

“They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Me In the Valley of Decision

Synopsis     1Sam 16:21-17:8     9/27/2018

King Saul was struggling. For, the spirit of God had left him. And, an evil spirit tormented him.

David’s reputation as a harpist brought him to the attention of Saul’s servants. They thought, “maybe a harpist could help the king”. And so, arrangements were made. And David began serving Saul. When he played, it so relieved Saul that the king became very fond of David. Eventually, he even made him his armor bearer.

The Philistine conflict continued. At one point, the Philistines and the Israelites prepared for battle. Saul led the Israelite forces. The Philistines had a great champion named Goliath who spoke on behalf of their forces.

This battle began as a military standoff. Because the Philistines had sent forces to regain control over the trade route to the central interior cities in Judah, Israel reacted. King Saul’s forces blocked the Philistine army. From their positions on the battlefield, both armies had the tactical advantage of high ground with the valley of Elam between them. Neither force desired to attack because doing so would mean leaving high ground, crossing a fairly wide valley in the open, and then attacking uphill.

Goliath in the Valley of Elam

Neither side was willing to give up the tactical advantage of high ground.

So Goliath taunted the Israelite army with a challenge for personal combat against an Israelite champion. It was winner take all. This was Goliath’s proposed alternative to actual combat.

The risk was mind blowing. It would mean certain death to the loser. But it would also mean slavery for the loser’s people. Few could even imagine taking the risk.

In the Valley of Decision

Some days I feel overwhelmed. It’s like everything and everyone is arrayed against me. When this happens, I feel alone and abandoned. And I know that whatever challenge I’m facing – there is no escaping it. It’s not a door-to-door salesmen. So, the problem won’t go away if I simply ignore it. At some point, I must stand up and face it as a challenge to what I believe.

One of the unnerving aspects of Goliath’s challenge is the loneliness of it. For example, a brave soldier fighting alongside his brave comrades and relatives experiences the momentum of courage. The courage of one bolsters and encourages all the others.

But a soldier alone, facing a fierce adversary, cannot draw on the courage of peers. In the same way, sometimes even dear friends cannot reach into the overwhelm of a difficult moment.

Still, the good news is that through this process I eventually get to know my adversary. Like Goliath, he emerges from the overwhelm and singularly challenges me. But unlike Goliath, he calls himself “fear”. Although really, his name is “anxiety”.  And with brash boldness, he dares me to let go of the past. He dares me to release the future. And he’s convinced I could never do either of these things.

But, when I stand on the promises of God and chose to simply focus on the demands of this moment, I see my adversary in truth. He is, in fact, a straw man of my own making. I say to myself, “With God’s help, I can defeat this.” And then, he no longer has power over me.

“Crowds upon crowds in the Valley of Decision; For near is the day of the LORD in the Valley of Decision.” Joel 4:14

Promotion Comes Through Filling A Need

Synopsis     1 Sam 16:11-20     9/26/2018

Samuel was with Jesse and his sons at a feast. He was looking to identify one of the sons as the next king. He directed Jesse to send for his youngest son who was tending sheep. When David arrived, Samuel anointed him with oil as the next king.

Meanwhile, Saul was suffering. The spirit of the Lord had departed from him and an evil spirit was tormenting him. His servants pitied Saul. And so they suggested finding a harpist who could help make the king feel better.

When Saul agreed to this suggestion, one of the servants described having heard David, the son of Jesse, play the harp with skill. So Saul sent messengers to Jesse asking for David’s service. Jesse sent David along with a gift to King Saul.

David’s Promotion Comes Through Filling a Need

Despite David’s obscurity as Jesse’s youngest son, his reputation preceded him. He did what he did well. As a result, opportunity came to him.

Promotion Comes Through Filling A Need

My commitment to excellence is the surety of living a purposeful life.

Most of us wonder how life will unfold. I have my dreams. And I have my plans. But not everything in my life has gone according to my plans. And I have had dreams that probably won’t be fulfilled.

But the unfolding of my life’s purpose isn’t dependent on these. Instead, the revelation of my purpose on earth is tied to my commitment to excellence. Actualizing my potential happens on a moment by moment basis. Doing well in each moment is the key.

The good news is that no matter what has gone on before this moment, my commitment to sustained, moment-by-moment excellence can begin right now.

“God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.” Gen 1:31

Looking Into the Hearts of Jesse’s Sons

Synopsis     1Sam 16:1-10     9/24/2018

Samuel informed Saul that God had rejected him as king. And Samuel also told him that God would give the kingdom to another Israelite who was more worthy.

Saul’s failure grieved Samuel. His own ministry had been wrecked when the Israelites lobbied for Samuel to set up a kingdom. Now, the first Israelite kingdom, which Samuel had helped to establish, was destined to fail.

Eventually, God directed Samuel to stop grieving. And then, He told him to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the next king. So, Jesse went to Bethlehem under the cover of celebrating a sacrificial feast. There, Jesse presented seven of his eight sons. Samuel rejected all of these men.

The Lord Looks Into The Heart

Why go through this process? Why must Samuel meet each of Jesse’s sons before rejecting them. It’s an odd scene. Why didn’t God just say, “Go and anoint the youngest of Jesse’s sons – David?”

Samuel remembered. He certified Saul. At the time he thought, “this is the Lord’s anointed”. But Saul’s kingship wrecked his life. His heart was not up to the challenge of ruling Israel.

“God looks to the heart” is a revelation. God knew the secret thoughts and motivations of each of Jesse’s sons. None of them were good candidates for the challenges of ruling Israel. The power would have destroyed them as it had destroyed Saul.

And so, all of Israel unknowingly hoped in a son so forgotten that no one bothered to call him for dinner.

The Lord Looks Into My Heart

When I read the story of Saul and David, I associate myself with David. Of course, I read the story from the perspective of his character. And so, I associate myself with his virtues.

This is normal. It’s probably even healthy. But it’s also worthy of a careful distinction about my ambitions.

What about his story attracts me? What of his experience would I really want? If I find myself wanting to be like David I have to ask myself, “Do I want to be acceptable to God because of the condition of my heart? Or, do I want to be king?”

Wanting to be king as a personal ambition is a desire for power. But power is a trust. And, it is also the ultimate test of character. It is the ultimate test of the heart. Many people seek power thinking it would bring them satisfaction, and meaning, and happiness. This is how we conveniently imagine King David.

But the careful reading of David is that he had satisfaction, and meaning, and happiness as a shepherd – way before he ever imagined being king. From his youth, his ambition was a pure heart. His desire was to know and praise God. This is what he did in the solitude and quiet of his occupation.

And this is what Samuel would find in an almost forgotten son.

And, this is our possibility in a quiet morning reflection.

“Let the words of my mouth be acceptable, the thoughts of my heart before you, LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:15

My Desperate Effort To Avoid Outcomes

Synopsis     1Sam 15:23-35     9/24/2018

Saul had disobeyed God’s command concerning the Amalekites. As a result, Samuel rebuked him. In his speech, Samuel equated rebellion to the “sin of divination”.

Saul acknowledged that he had sinned. He feared his men’s desire to retain the banned spoils. So he allowed them to keep it. He begged for Samuel’s forgiveness. And, he implored Samuel to offer sacrifices to God on his behalf. He desired to show the Israelites that there was no breech between him and Samuel.

Samuel eventually agreed to go. And he offered sacrifices on Saul’s behalf. But not until after he prophesied to Saul that God had determined to rip the kingdom out of his power and give it to someone more fitting.

Finally Samuel called for King Agag. He executed him in Gilgal. After this, he departed from Saul. The two men never saw each other again.

Saul’s Desperation 

Saul was a desperate man. He was desperate to retain his position. Above all, he didn’t want to lose his kingdom. And so he begged Samuel to offer sacrifice on his behalf. He wanted all Israel to know that he still had the respect of the great prophet Samuel.

Saul was willing to privately acknowledge his guilt. But he did this with the intent of maintaining Samuel’s support. His plea for forgiveness wasn’t motivated by repentance. Instead, it was nothing more than an effort to regain Samuel’s favor.

Samuel was unwilling to go along with the farce. But as Saul persisted  in begging, Samuel began to realize that he was in danger. If he didn’t do as Saul asked, Saul could simply decide to kill him. So, Samuel decided to take the pressure off of Saul. And so, Samuel offered sacrifices on Saul’s behalf, supporting his kingship. But he killed the Amalekite king with his own sword, which was itself a not-so-subtle rebuke to Saul. Samuel never again allowed himself to fall into Saul’s power.

My Desperate Effort to Avoid Outcomes

“I’m sorry.” My youngest sons just turned four. “I’m sorry is their favorite expression when they’ve done something they know is wrong.

They are identical twins. Their identicality has taught me much about human nature. They learn so much faster than any of our other children. I think this is because they validate their experiences one against the other. They have quickly come to realize that “I’m sorry” is nearly as powerful as a  “get out of jail” card on a Monopoly board.

The result is, they use it to cope. In most cases, I do not observe that they are actually “sorry” for the wrong they’ve done. Usually, they are “sorry” they have a problem. Or, perhaps even more directly, they recognize that simply saying, “I’m sorry” restores favor and evokes mercy. For them, it’s like a magic spell.

I’d like to say that they learned this from reading about the unfortunate king Saul. But the reality is, they’ve learned it from me. They’ve learned it from the way I expect my wife to forgive me when I’ve been selfish or thoughtless. They’ve learned it from me when I’ve failed to follow through on a promise.

So now, I’ll hear this challenge as I examine my conscience. I’ll learn to hate my sins and do them no more.

“Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy.” Prov 28:13

Good Intentions and Best Intentions

Synopsis     1Sam 15:13-22     9/23/2018

Saul won a great victory over the Amalekites. But he did not destroy the spoils of the battle as God had directed. Also, Saul captured the Amalekite king alive and allowed him to live.

Samuel sought Saul after the battle. When he found him, Saul enthusiastically greeted him. But Samuel questioned Saul sharply. And he rebuked Saul for not following the commands of the Lord completely.

Despite Saul’s claims that he had fulfilled the commands of the Lord, Samuel challenged him. He observed that God is more pleased with obedience than with sacrifices.

Saul’s Good Intentions 

Saul experienced an extraordinary victory over the Amalekites. He routed the nation and destroyed almost everything – just as the Lord had commanded.

But something about destroying the best of the animals seemed wrong to the people. Perhaps, the soldiers were thinking that many of the sacrifices offered to God in Israel were not as of such high quality as what had been captured in the defeat of Amalek. Maybe, in this way, their intentions were entirely understandable, if not even honorable.

But only Samuel could see it for what it really was.

Good Intentions and Best Intentions

“Obedience is more important than sacrifice.” It’s obvious enough that this is what God really wants.

Still, my tendency is to think it was easy for Samuel to call out the king. Or, for that matter, that it was easy to go against the obvious good intentions of 200,000 soldiers.

Speaking truth to power. Being honest. Honoring God more than I honor men. Honoring God more than I fear men.

This is the work. Allowing the best intentions to have their place against a manifold tapestry of good intentions.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers.” Psalm 1:1