I Samuel 17
Tuesday, 1st August 2023
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Saul went to look for David because he had a gift of playing the harp , when David played the harp, the Spirit of God fell upon Saul and he would feel better. But what was the relationship between Saul and David? Saul only needed David for his gift, he didn’t really know David and didn’t really have a relationship with David.
V4-7 ‘And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him.’ The descriptions of Goliath were very detailed because the Israelites were scared of him, they could only see how strong and big their enemy was. Saul was a great warrior, but because God has left him, he was also afraid.
V26 ‘Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”’ On the other hand, David was not afraid at all. He knew God was greater than all things and all people, and he was angry that no one stood up for the army of God.
V34-36 ‘But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”’ David was full of faith, and he was young. He had been standing before Saul to play the harp, but Saul never really knew this boy. So often we have the presence of God, we have gifts, and we have the strength, but we cannot influence the people around us. David was showing his own strength and therefore God’s power had not yet been revealed through him.
V37 ‘Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”’ When David only talked about himself, Saul only saw him as a young boy. But when David lift up the Name of God, he was able to make an influence and finally Saul allowed him to go and fight Goliath. Are we willing to lift up the Name of God in front of people? We feel ashamed to lift up God’s Name, we are afraid, we are full of pride and fear. And therefore we cannot influence people.
What do we live our life by? Our own strength or the Lord Almighty? He is the God, Who led the the army of Zion Bread of Life Christian Church. We must follow Him closely and lift up His Name always! Are we willing to see ourselves with a different eyesight? Are we willing to rely on the Lord Almighty? This is the time to make a choice, in this first day of August, God is talking to each one of us, it’s time to rise up, to live for God.