Someone suggested I share this again, so I am.
First shared Nov 4, 2019:
The Illusion of David and Goliath
Here lately, our family has been surrounded by big, scary situations that came at us all at once. We were surrounded by an army of giant situations that looked harsh and ugly. Most of them were resolved shortly before Caleb's surgery.
Before Caleb's second lung collapse, I was talking with the Lord. I said, "Father, we are so weak and powerless in these different situations. It's like we are surrounded by an army of Goliaths. My family is the wee David in these many battles. I don't even know which to face first. I know you have a plan, but where we are is scary. The Goliaths are many. We are weary, and our lives are very disrupted. Please help us. Please help us to learn the lessons you have for us in these situations and to move through this time quickly. Please help me support my husband as he leads our family through this time."
The Lord impressed upon my heart, "It's an illusion."
I pondered on that for a while. An illusion is something that is understood incorrectly. An illusion is not reality. How something looks is not always how it actually is.
Goliath was a braggart who daily challenged God's people. He appeared huge, mighty, well armed, loud, and so very intimidating. Just the spear blade weighed 15 times more than a normal one would. Goliath was massive and very strong.
I Samuel 17:24 says ALL of the soldiers ran and hid when Goliath came out. Friends, that is a fierce challenge when all of the people around you are running and hiding. How proud Goliath must have grew as he threatened, mocked, and challenged God's people day after day while the Israelite army cowered and looked to someone one else to solve the problem. King Saul was the leader of the army, and he clearly didn't have an idea of what to do. Goliath's image of himself and his fierce reputation grew every day the king and the soldiers stayed still. Sometimes, our fear, indecision, and inaction can allow things to grow very large and scary in our minds.
David was a lowly shepherd youth who liked to write songs. That's not exactly a rough and tough image! He had a sincere and humble heart, a willingness to serve, and a strong faith in a living God. His father asked him to go check on his brothers who were in Saul's army.
David arrived, saw the problem, and asked some soldiers, "Just who is this Philistine think he is that he can challenge soldiers of the living God?!" David was indignant. His brother overheard David and was offended. He jumps on David verbally and accuses him of being there under false pretenses to watch the battle. He misjudged David's heart and tried to make him out to have bad motives. We do that to each other. Forgive it and get on with loving those people.
King Saul told David he could not fight Goliath because he was too young and because Goliath was raised from youth to be a soldier. The king believed David would be slaughtered. The soldiers had to have uttered their disbelief when David walked to meet the angry giant naked of armor carrying only pebbles to a sword fight. "What does he think he's doing? He's making a huge mistake! He'll never succeed!" I just can't see the men who were hiding in their fear instead of walking in their faith giving David encouragement. People often try to hinder us from going where God is leading.
David's faith was mighty, and the God he had that faith in is all powerful. It didn't look like it, but David had every advantage and was a sure win! All Goliath really had was his size, pride, and bluster. He looked fierce and mighty, but he in reality was defenseless against the one who had the Lord going into battle before him. If Goliath could have really seen Who was going before David into the battle, Goliath would have ran and hid! What we see in the physical world in not the reality in the spiritual world!
David knew Goliath would be given into his hands because he knew who God is. David did not cower in fear. To get to the victory, he had to recognize the problem, stand in his faith, and take action. Once he let that pebble fly, he just had to be still watch God work. Oh, how that giant was humbled by a young boy with an incredible faith!
Through David, King Saul and his army had the victory! God's chosen people got the win because one person was willing to stand and take action in faith. One person. What an example David set to the King and warriors of Israel! What powerful lessons his life continues to teach us today!
Also note: King Saul wanted David to fight in the way that Saul knew to fight, so the King wanted David to take the King's sword and armor. Saul didn't understand where David was coming from or what David had to do to win. Saul's method of battle would not work for David. David had to fight with what he had and knew.
We need to remember that when trying to counsel others who are enmeshed in battles. We shouldn't weigh them down with our ways to battle spiritually. For example, some like to pray in a group while others, like me, prefer to pray alone. I have a friend who likes to worship by singing constantly. That's not my way. I have to battle as my heart feels led not as someone else wants me to battle. You have to do the same.
Dear Reader, I know life gets so incredibly hard at times. We can feel surrounded by a mountain of problems and feel like they will topple down on us but remember it is an illusion. I want to reassure you, in troubling circumstances, your reality is different than what you see. God's power is bigger than any situation we face. The same God that responded to David loves you and will respond to you too. God is an ever present source of help in times of trouble. When we are afraid, we can run to Him for shelter, direction, and help. He has not left us alone or defenseless. While the battles rage, we can take comfort in the fact that the final victory is ours through Jesus. Jesus said "It's finished." which means completed or accomplished. Nothing can undo that.
Before Caleb's second lung collapse, I was talking with the Lord. I said, "Father, we are so weak and powerless in these different situations. It's like we are surrounded by an army of Goliaths. My family is the wee David in these many battles. I don't even know which to face first. I know you have a plan, but where we are is scary. The Goliaths are many. We are weary, and our lives are very disrupted. Please help us. Please help us to learn the lessons you have for us in these situations and to move through this time quickly. Please help me support my husband as he leads our family through this time."
The Lord impressed upon my heart, "It's an illusion."
I pondered on that for a while. An illusion is something that is understood incorrectly. An illusion is not reality. How something looks is not always how it actually is.
Goliath was a braggart who daily challenged God's people. He appeared huge, mighty, well armed, loud, and so very intimidating. Just the spear blade weighed 15 times more than a normal one would. Goliath was massive and very strong.
I Samuel 17:24 says ALL of the soldiers ran and hid when Goliath came out. Friends, that is a fierce challenge when all of the people around you are running and hiding. How proud Goliath must have grew as he threatened, mocked, and challenged God's people day after day while the Israelite army cowered and looked to someone one else to solve the problem. King Saul was the leader of the army, and he clearly didn't have an idea of what to do. Goliath's image of himself and his fierce reputation grew every day the king and the soldiers stayed still. Sometimes, our fear, indecision, and inaction can allow things to grow very large and scary in our minds.
David was a lowly shepherd youth who liked to write songs. That's not exactly a rough and tough image! He had a sincere and humble heart, a willingness to serve, and a strong faith in a living God. His father asked him to go check on his brothers who were in Saul's army.
David arrived, saw the problem, and asked some soldiers, "Just who is this Philistine think he is that he can challenge soldiers of the living God?!" David was indignant. His brother overheard David and was offended. He jumps on David verbally and accuses him of being there under false pretenses to watch the battle. He misjudged David's heart and tried to make him out to have bad motives. We do that to each other. Forgive it and get on with loving those people.
King Saul told David he could not fight Goliath because he was too young and because Goliath was raised from youth to be a soldier. The king believed David would be slaughtered. The soldiers had to have uttered their disbelief when David walked to meet the angry giant naked of armor carrying only pebbles to a sword fight. "What does he think he's doing? He's making a huge mistake! He'll never succeed!" I just can't see the men who were hiding in their fear instead of walking in their faith giving David encouragement. People often try to hinder us from going where God is leading.
David's faith was mighty, and the God he had that faith in is all powerful. It didn't look like it, but David had every advantage and was a sure win! All Goliath really had was his size, pride, and bluster. He looked fierce and mighty, but he in reality was defenseless against the one who had the Lord going into battle before him. If Goliath could have really seen Who was going before David into the battle, Goliath would have ran and hid! What we see in the physical world in not the reality in the spiritual world!
David knew Goliath would be given into his hands because he knew who God is. David did not cower in fear. To get to the victory, he had to recognize the problem, stand in his faith, and take action. Once he let that pebble fly, he just had to be still watch God work. Oh, how that giant was humbled by a young boy with an incredible faith!
Through David, King Saul and his army had the victory! God's chosen people got the win because one person was willing to stand and take action in faith. One person. What an example David set to the King and warriors of Israel! What powerful lessons his life continues to teach us today!
Also note: King Saul wanted David to fight in the way that Saul knew to fight, so the King wanted David to take the King's sword and armor. Saul didn't understand where David was coming from or what David had to do to win. Saul's method of battle would not work for David. David had to fight with what he had and knew.
We need to remember that when trying to counsel others who are enmeshed in battles. We shouldn't weigh them down with our ways to battle spiritually. For example, some like to pray in a group while others, like me, prefer to pray alone. I have a friend who likes to worship by singing constantly. That's not my way. I have to battle as my heart feels led not as someone else wants me to battle. You have to do the same.
Dear Reader, I know life gets so incredibly hard at times. We can feel surrounded by a mountain of problems and feel like they will topple down on us but remember it is an illusion. I want to reassure you, in troubling circumstances, your reality is different than what you see. God's power is bigger than any situation we face. The same God that responded to David loves you and will respond to you too. God is an ever present source of help in times of trouble. When we are afraid, we can run to Him for shelter, direction, and help. He has not left us alone or defenseless. While the battles rage, we can take comfort in the fact that the final victory is ours through Jesus. Jesus said "It's finished." which means completed or accomplished. Nothing can undo that.
To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.
