I did not get on with training, week in, week out. Running and more running, circuit training and more circuit training. I was told repeatedly that what I did on Tuesday and Thursday night would make a difference on Saturday,
Saul in the end agrees reluctantly to let David fight Goliath.
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:33
David though thinks differently, very differently. He believes he will be able to kill Goliath. He knows God is with him but where does this confidence come from?
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 1 Samuel 17:34-35
David had previously killed a bear and a lion. The training ground for this fight was done on hillsides at night whilst protecting sheep.
If we are to come out of these strange times into new exciting times as a church maybe it’s time to prepare and get ready.
To do that we are going to have to study the word with diligence asking God to speak from his word to us for what lies ahead, to pray and fast regularly for our nation and the church, also asking God to speak to us for what lies ahead. Can you imagine the treasure chest that would be awaiting us and the expectation that would be in our hearts?
Saul is still unconvinced, so tries to fit David up with his armour.
Then Saul clothed David with his armour. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armour. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 1 Samuel 17:38-39
I am trying like many pastors to ask, God what are you saying? What are you doing? What about the future? I just wonder if as churches we are trying to make the armour fit. I remember the early days of the restoration movement when over and over again we looked at new wineskins, what that meant in regard to church structure.
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins-and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” Mark 2:22
If in a few months time we start back again the same way we left off, what will we have learnt about church, being church. I just don’t think we should look the same. (Sorry) I wonder if this delay is not a delay but a preparation for a new wineskin for God to pour out his Spirit into.
This goes to the very heart of the question “what did JESUS envisage His Church to look like?”
Surely it was more than what we have made it to be.
Being at home gives us more of an opportunity to study His Word, learn to hear His voice better, and pray for those around us – in other words, to take up our roles as part of God’s Royal Priesthood. This will be a good training ground for when we come together again – each having a contribution to bring. Eph 5:19 / 1 Cor 14:26
I find these blog posts very compelling and challenging.
Like in the case of David, life’s experiences and encounters (more often than not) are strong indicators of the challenges ahead. Thus, I think it is important to defeat the “bears” and “lions” (many a time in solitude) and build an inextinguishable trust/confidence in God before venturing to face the “Goliaths” out there (in the midst of the multitude).
I have had to ask myself these rhetorical questions with respect to my walk of faith, “Do I possess a tested personal kit?” or “Am I clothed in another man’s armoury?”. David clearly understood that uncertainty can only be conquered with certainty. To face life’s uncertainties as a believer, a certain and tested walk with God is inevitable.
Speaking of the future; I strongly believe that God is in the constant business of equipping, training and disciplining his people (i.e., the church). This process must certainly include bringing to the camp (i.e., household of faith), men and women who have a clear understanding of the times and seasons and know what God’s people (i.e, the church) ought to do. Just like the men of Issachar, they may not be “sword wielding” and “shield bearing” front-line captains, nonetheless, they form a vital part of the phalanx. Perhaps, it’s time we sought these few ones God has placed amongst us, as we faithfully and prayerfully try to understand the days ahead.
Thank you so much for sharing.
God bless.