David and Goliath and the Seed

The pinpricks of light has expanded to the noonday sun!

Hope is real.  Why do I have hope?  Because of Jesus Christ!

In the biblical story of David and Goliath, it is always rendered as us being David.  With courage given by God, we step up to our Goliaths, and through His provision and strength, we overcome the Goliath that taunts and threatens our peace.

However, this weekend, there are two stories that have renewed my hope in the Living Lord.
I am the Israelite army that is so disheartened and afraid of Goliath.  I stand without hope of victory.  In the midst of this obvious defeat, steps a figure that seems to be of little consequence.  A young boy named David.  He is a shepherd.  He is not a warrior.  Yet, when he hears the taunts of Goliath, he stands and confronts this giant.  He comes in the name of the Lord of Hosts.  Then, through an act that doesn't seem very wise, he uses a sling to slay the giant!

Parallel this to our story.  I already mentioned that I am the Israelite army.  I am afraid and hopeless.  Yet, my Hero came, not with trumpets or glory, but as a small boy, a baby boy that was born in a shelter for sheep and cows.  His bed was a feeding trough.  He was visited by the shepherds, and then the three wisemen of the east.  Jesus Christ came as a baby, born of a virgin.  He grew up and was sinless.  Then through an act that didn't make sense to those who followed Him as their leader, He was crucified on the Cross.  On it, right before He gave His last breath, He cried out, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" meaning, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"  and then, "It is finished."


What was accomplished through His death?  The very victory that was promised from the beginning of creation in Genesis 3.  He crucified in His flesh all our sins.  The punishment was paid in full by Him.  I no longer hold that debt.


But, that's not all.  Through His resurrection, He was victorious!  He is God.  If He didn't rise from the dead, as He had promised, as the entire bible had promised, all our hopes would have died with Him.  But, because He rose from the dead, our hopes are alive with Him!


So, David who triumphed over Goliath, parallels Jesus who triumphed over death.
He is my hero.


As for the Seed, the Seed is the Gospel.  What you just read, about Jesus' death and resurrection for your sins, is the Gospel.  The Good News.  It certainly is good news.  We were once enemies of God, headed for hell as the only rightful punishment for our sin.  However, Jesus took our place and gave us His righteousness so that we can have a relationship and a fellowship with God!


That doesn't come from our good works.  That doesn't come from our choices or our wills at all!  It doesn't come from us.  From the start to finish, it is all God's work.  Let that sink deep into your heart, and as a plant sends out roots and a shoot, that grows into a plant and then develops even bigger into a fruit/seed bearing tree, let the Gospel dig deep into your heart, so that you too may bear fruit.  Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.


Like a seed, it must die before it can be alive.  My old self with its sinful will and wants must be crucified with Jesus.  Then, His fruit can come alive in me.  It is not an instantaneous change, but takes time.  It is a process that will take the rest of my life.


However, I rest in the knowledge that God is good, He is all powerful, and He loves me through and through.  He will also not keep me here on this earth a minute more than I have to.  So, until I go to heaven, I have the privilege to be a servant of God here on earth.  


What is my purpose?  What is my the reason I am here?  I am not sure, but what I am sure about is, I am to be diligent with what He has given me.  Therefore, I will work diligently at my task, whether it be at work or home or church.  Yes, this means changes to my habits~ but that too God will enable me as I obey Him more and more~ 


Each day is a brand new adventure, with a lot of love notes from God my Father.  The beautiful clouds, the flowers, the joy of friendship.  All these are memos of God reminding me of His love!


:)  I am blessed to be in His arms of Love.