This week’s teaching challenged our perspective on life and how we look at things. This pandemic situation might make that a particular challenge since everyone seems to be “picking a side” or a perspective on just about everything going on. Looking at the life of David and how his faith became sight and action might be helpful this week. Do you consider God in your perspective on things? Or do you have a tendency to rely on the culture, your emotions, or some other source?
Pastor Adam pointed out the God centered perspective that David had and compared it with Goliath’s perspective--which was ego driven and very self confident, strong and focused. The Israelites also had an ego-centered perspective, although it was more of a poor self image rather than a strong and confident one. David’s perspective was the only one that acknowledged his own weakness, but also acknowledged - and relied upon - the strength of God.
We see this played out in our own world, don’t we? Certain personalities and temperaments tend to have a pride based perspective and other people tend to lean toward a shame based perspective. Yet, there remains a third perspective for the Christ follower: that of inviting Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit into every situation and allowing the Spirit to guide decisions and actions.
Pastor Adam gave an acronym from the story of David. Perhaps you will find this helpful when fear or shame might try to creep in and keep you from having a perspective like David’s which relied on the strength of GOD. Here is the acronym:
F = Find out the facts (I Sam. 17:6);
E = Eliminate defeatist thinking. (I Sam. 17:28-30)
A = Affirm your source of strength—is it God? (I Sam. 17:37-45)
R = Run to the battle. (I Sam. 17:48)
INVITATION: Re-enter the famous story of David and Goliath this week, asking the Lord for HIS perspective to apply to your life and situation.
MONDAY: I Samuel 17:1-11: The Israelites were not only facing a giant of a man (probably around 8-9 feet and strong enough to wear all the armor), but “the enemy” in a more general sense as well. The Philistines wanted to erase the Israelites from the face of the earth. What “enemy” is stalking you in these days? Scripture tells us the enemy (satan) seeks to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10), but Jesus came to bring abundant life. Are you tapping into the strength of the Holy Spirit in your life, decisions and actions?
TUESDAY: I Samuel 17:12-24: David was not even part of the battle lines. Only Jesse’s three oldest sons “had followed Saul to the war.” David was going back and forth tending his father’s sheep and bringing food to his older brothers. He had every right to consider himself “not good enough” or “not strong enough” or “not smart enough” or……fill in the blank. David even witnessed the giant, Goliath, strut and shout his defiance that made all the other soldiers run in fear. Where or how does shame and fear and “not being enough” enter your life? Psalm 139 says God “knit you together” in your mothers womb. You ARE enough. How might you live into that position today?
WEDNESDAY: I Samuel 17:25-27: David saw God’s point of view even when all the army was talking of the riches and other benefits the king would give to the man who killed Goliath. David could not believe ANYONE would defy the Israelites - “the armies of the living God.” What is your image of the God of the universe? Is it big enough? Is it powerful enough? Is it holy enough? Image of God and image of self are deep threads in the Christian journey. How you think about God compromises much of your theology. What you believe God thinks and feels about you, compromises the relationship. God is enough. You are enough.
THURSDAY: I Samuel 17:28-36: These verses were cited by Pastor Adam in regard to the “E” in FEAR: Eliminate defeatist thinking. Sometimes that means turning away from certain voices. Perhaps it's only for a season, but it could be permanently. Are there any unhealthy voices in your life? Could it be your own voice? How can you bring that into prayer today? Do you need to make some healthy boundaries in your life regarding the voices of others?
FRIDAY: I Samuel 17:37-47: David repeatedly affirmed the source of his strength and a history of God’s faithfulness. Scripture talks often about “remembering” God’s faithfulness. Have you ever taken time to look back and consider that in your life? Some people make it a New Year’s spiritual practice to look back on an entire year, and others make it a daily practice to participate in some type of “examination” and “remembrance” type prayer to look for God’s hand in each and every day. Take some time today and look back and “remember” God’s faithfulness to you in the past week or month, or perhaps during this pandemic. How can you express your gratitude and thanks to God today?
SATURDAY: I Samuel 17:48-58: David “ran quickly toward the battle line.” David had to put feet to his faith. Are you being called to put feet to your faith in some new way? In these Covid-19 times, things are off balance, frustrating, fearful and trying. You might even be struggling with some isolation, apathy and depression. How is Jesus tenderly inviting you to put feet to your faith during this time?