David and Goliath Part 2

# 238 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 17:4-7, “And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 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. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7 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. (1 Sam 17:4-7) Goliath. One big dude. Over nine feet tall, fitted with impenetrable armor, and armed to the hilt. Just think of the armor he was wearing. A brass helmet, a coat of mail that consisted of bronze sheets that were overlaid as to look like fish scales. There were no openings and Goliath's vital organs were afforded complete protection. Estimates of the weight of this coat of armor range from 78 to 156 lbs, the weight included to help us get a picture of the strength of this titan. The javelin spoken of here is not what you may think, it was in reality a shield that was typically thrown over the back for easy access during a battle. His spear was huge, which should tell you something about the size and strength of his hands. It was like a weavers beam with an iron spearhead that weighed about 19 lbs. But why spend all this time talking about his armor? What is the Holy Spirit trying to teach us? It's helpful to think of Goliath as a type of Satan and the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us that he is a great and powerful foe. Don't underestimate him. You can't take him on yourself. You need the help of the offspring of David....the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 2:14 says, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,” Who destroys the one who has the power of death? Jesus. I'm reminded of Martin Luther's classic hymn, A Mighty Fortress, “For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe, his craft and pow'r are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing. Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God'[s own choosing. Doest ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He; And He must win the battle. Lesson number one from David and Goliath: Don't think for a moment you can take on the devil by yourself, you need Jesus!

A Mighty Fortress

# 165 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 13:5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. (1 Sam 13:5) Kind of a fearful situation isn't it? And rightly so. Look at the ridiculous numbers used to describe the might of the enemy. 30,000 chariots? 6,000 horsemen? Soldiers numbered with the sand by the sea? Are you kidding me? There is no chance here for the Israelites, king or no king. These numbers were used for effect on the Israelites and for effect for you and I. Our enemy and his legions of demons are strong. We are no match for them in our own flesh. Luther captured this truth so well in the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Listen again to his words: A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever. I really can't state it any better than that. May these words be a source of encouragement for you today Because, we have no chance of victory in our flesh, but with Jesus on our side, we cannot lose. Look to Him in all your encounters with the enemy today, remembering that: 1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 Jn 4:4)