Category: OLD TESTAMENT

Chose Your Weapons Well

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17.
David has arrived at the battle to deliver a care package to his older brothers. He has seen the giant challenge Israel and even more God. He has decided that he will defend the challenge to (and honor of) God.
v 37 …and Saul said unto David “Go, and the Lord be with thee’.
King Saul wants to be part of this fight so he offers his armor and weapons to David. (Saul’s Pride) (of course he didn’t go to the fight).
v 38, 39 David tries his armor and arms and decides to use his own trusted weapons.
Remember WE are in a spiritual battle also. We need to be spiritually armed. Compare David’s weapons to our weapons.

David’s list of weapons:

1. A Staff

This testified that David was a shepherd. Our first weapon has got to be a good testimony. If we don’t have a testimony of salvation then we aren’t even in the battle, in fact we are on the other side. If our testimony is poor we will be like David’s brothers.

2. Stones, second in the list (see more later)

3. A shepherd’s bag

This is where a shepherd carries all his valuables, his food. Without this pouch he’s have to carry everything in his hands and would have difficulty in defending himself. Our third weapon. This pouch is likened to our hearts. Here is where we store all things of value.

4. A sling

This is a very valuable weapon, it gives him the ability to reach out and slay the enemy. (Judges 20:16 illustrates how accurate these weapons are). Our forth weapon is our Bible, a two edged sword, a weapon to reach out.
Yes, David had his weapons. He had chosen them well. He knew how to use them and he was ready to meet his foe. Are your weapons ready to meet your foe?
What about weapon number 2? The stones v 40 …and chose five smooth stones.
Why smooth? (Round) they fly truer
Why 5 stones? He only needed one to fell the giant. Lack of trust? Nay, Goliath had 4 brothers (2 Sam 22:15-22) and David was prepared for them.

These stones became projectiles, they are what made the ling dangerous, without the stones the sling was a useless weapon, an empty threat. These stones are to David what Bible Verses are to Christians. The devil doesn’t care if you own a Bible, or 6 Bibles as long as you don’t use it. If you don’t know what your Bible teaches it as useless as a sling without a stone.

Let’s give names to these 5 stones:
1 ⟶ SALVATION: first you have to have it (Romans 10:9-13) and second you have to know you are saved (1 John 5:13, John 20:31).
2 ⟶ Forgiveness of Sin: How many Christians walk around depressed, defeated, because they have sinned! Get forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and live like it.
3 ⟶ Know His eternal presence: He is always with us. (Mathew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)
4 ⟶ Know His concern: He loves us and wants our best. (Romans 8:31-39)
5 ⟶ He wants us to be winners (Soul). Share your faith (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 24-26)

Paul says it best in Ephesians 6:11-17: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
It is a daily spiritual Battle. We need to stand, in the strength of the LORD, and He has provided the weapons.

Remember, you are already in the Battle.
The only question is, which side?

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BE YOURSELF

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17.
WHO WAS GOLIATH? The 9’9” giant defying Israel (GOD).
WHO WAS DAVID? A young Sheppard boy sent to comfort his brothers in Battle.

DAVID has taken a stand:
1. He stands for the true and living God of Israel
2. He didn’t stand for self
3. He stood alone

v 31 The word spreads thru the Israelite camp. David will fight the giant.
When you take a stand for God, others will hear about it. Be ready!
v 32-33 Everyone will try to stop you! Why? Envy, Jealousy, Fear
v 38 Then they will try to join the band wagon. That doesn’t mean they will help, it means they will want to tell you what to do, everyone’s an expert. Tell them what you are going to do and you will hear “Oh, you should have said….” or “Oh, you should have done….”
v 39 Only use what God has given you. BE YOURSELF!

David couldn’t use King Saul’s armor.
David couldn’t use King Saul’s weapons.
Remember how God has worked with you in the Past (v 34-37)
YOU + GOD = MAJORITY
Remember Gideon? (Judges 6) He led the Israelites against the Midianites. Started with 32,000 warriors. God said TOO MANY and sent 22,000 fearful home. Still TOO MANY! God weeded out another 7,700 and sent them home. Left with 300 warriors, Gideon face 15,000 (that’s 50 to 1) and God gave them the victory.
What about Samson? He slew 1000 Philistines.
We all have a goliath to face. We must all take a stand. When you stand (many times) you will stand alone, SO BE YOURSELF and trust God.

We all face giants and giants are awesome things towering over us.
Perhaps your giant is human.
Perhaps your giant is a task – work.
Perhaps your giant is intangible.
The only thing you can do with your giant is to trust GOD.
Philipians 4:13 I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me

GOD + me = Victory

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God has Called Us to Stand

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17.
Who was David? (v 12-15) Youngest Son of Jesse, with 8 older brothers. (16:1-13 was called by God to be next King). Three oldest brothers off to Battle with King Saul, David was in the field tending sheep.
What was David doing on the battle field? (He’s just a young teen)
v 17 His father sent him to deliver corn and bread to his brothers. (a care package)
v 18 David was to take some cheese to the captains and inquire of his brothers.
v 19 father instructs David where the battle is being fought (gives directions)
v 20 David obeys and arrives at start of daily battle. He joins in as a cheer leader.
v 22 David sees brothers and runs to greet them.
v 23 as he greets them….. HERE COMES GOLIATH!

For the 40th time (morning and evening) the Philistine Champion makes his challenge (remember Goliath, 9’9” over 300 LBS). All covered with armor! He was the Philistine army tank and the Israelites didn’t have a bazooka to knock him out.

v 24 All the Israelites stand in fear (trembling)
v 26 David questions their actions
v 27 All around him they give their excuses “boy, you just don’t understand…a guy could get hurt out there”
Israel was afraid…WHY? They were in Apostasy. They had not been seeking God. They had turned their backs on God. SIN! And SIN separates us from God.
But David stands for God.
God delights in those who believe Him. God delivers those who trust in Him.
But watch out, the devil will try to stop you; he’ll work in the most unlikely places, even through your family. Here’s David, standing for God, defying the enemy of God and what do his brothers say?
v 28 What are you doing here? What about the sheep?
v 29 David’s reply, wait a minute, I was sent here to see how you are doing, to bring goodies, to report back to father how you are fairing.
BUT that big clown out there has NO RIGHT to blaspheme God.
v 30 Each one David speaks to gives him the same answer.
David took a stand for GOD. He didn’t know where it would lead him. He didn’t know before the day was out he’d be in mortal combat with the Giant. BUT HE TRUSTED GOD TO TAKE CARE OF HIM.

Have you taken a stand for God? Are you trusting Him to take care of you?

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Where were they taken? We read of the account of Enos in Genesis:

Genesis 5:18-24 And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons …. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

In Hebrews, the Apostle Paul, tells us more of what happened to Enoch:

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Where did God take him (bodily)? And then let’s look at Elijah. His life and ministry are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. But look at 2 Kings 2:11.

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

The last mention of Elijah is in Malachi speaking of his return to earth.

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Where did God take him (bodily)? In the New Testament ELIJAH is translated as ELIAS.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all refer to Elias (Elijah). And as we read some of the references a question comes to mind, Was John the Baptist ELIJAH (ELIAS)? Just look at the following verses. (Read them in context)
Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Mark 9:11-13 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Matthew 17:3, 10-12 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

It would appear that the Lord Jesus was calling John the Baptist, ELIAS. But when John the Baptist was questioned, he answered:

John 1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

Could it be that the Lord Jesus was referring to John the Baptist as fulling the spirit of ELIAS (not a bodily return).

Mark 9:2-6 (Matthew 17:1-4, Luke 9:28-30) Records the TRANSFIGERATION of Moses and Elias on the mount with the Lord Jesus. Could this be what the Lord was talking about when he said Elias would come? But back to the original question: Where were the bodies (Enoch, Elijah) taken? Enoch was translated, Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven BOTH men were taken BODILY.
But they could not have gone into Heaven where God is, as Christ had to be the first to go into Heaven, where God is, IN A BODY raised from the dead. Ergo, they must have gone into PARADISE (Luke 23:43, 16:19-31). Then followed Christ when He went into Heaven Ephesians 4:8-10.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

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