From My Daily Reading #24

Don’t be a squirrelly in your faith.

The Genuine nature of your faith is revealed by the direction of your faith.

In the days of King Saul, there were enemies and adversity that must be faced.

The philistines were the enemies and often the adversity of the day. The Israelites often found themselves face to face with the adversity of the Philistine army.

The days recounted in this passage were not so different than most days. The armies were lined up across from one another and a battle was planned to take place at any moment.

Normally in those days the Israelites were confident in their King and in their army. God had granted great victories for Saul and this nation of Israel over their adversity and enemies.

But these were no normal times.

The Philistines had a new secret weapon. A man of war perhaps unlike any the world had ever seen. Standing around 10 feet tall, weighed over 500 lbs and with enough muscle and power to wield a sword and spear that each weighed over 15 lbs each.

Goliath challenged any soldier to come and fight Him, and whoever the loser’s nation would serve the nation of the winner. As he challenged the Israelites he began to curse and mock the Israelites and the God of the Israelites.

Suddenly the faith of the Israelites melted, and they began to run around, zig zagging in every direction in fear, in the face of this giant.

They became squirrel like in their faith. Much like a squirrel darts first one way and then another when crossing a road in front of a car, so too did the army of Israel in front of the shadow of this giant.

Until a shepherd boy named David came along. David immediately decided he would fight the giant. He immdiately determined all he needed was a sling and a stone.

His Faith was straight forward. Or perhaps better said, straight up.

David’s faith was not in any man, king, or mighty army. His faith was in the same God who had delivered Israel in the face of adversity before. His faith was in the same God who had delivered him personally before as he defended His flock from the lion and the bear. His Faith was in the true God in Heaven above.

David did not zig zag around losing his mind. He ran straight at the giant.

What was the miraculous outcome? God gave David, and Israel the victory of the Giant enemy of Goliath and the adversity of the Philistine army.

Today we may face many giants and much adversity.

We face the prospect of violence, un-lawfulness, racism, and bigotry.

We face the prospect of war, and threats of destruction from our enemies.

We face anti-Christian sentiment, attacks on the Word of God, and more.

We face personal struggle, financial need, and the sense that the task to which we are called of God is too big for us to accomplish.

Yet our confidence is not to be found in ourselves, our army, the president, or any earthly king.

Our Faith is to be found In God above and in our Savior Jesus Christ. When it is we find we are able to keep our mind and wits about us, trust in Him, and move forward as he leads us.

It does not matter how big our adversity or enemies might seem to be, because our God is bigger, and the faith He gives us and the grace he provides is greater.

Found your faith in God, and find that He will lead you all the days of your life.