-by Hadyn Olsen.
Recently, after reading the account of this historic meeting between David and Goliath, I was struck by the significance of it’s message concerning the end time period that we are entering into. David was considered one of the "sons of Zadok".
Far more than a children’s story, this account speaks of the collision of two kingdoms. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
There are a number of times in the Scriptures that we witness such a dramatic encounter between these two kingdoms. We may think of the time of Moses and the exodus from Egypt, the plagues and the Red Sea. We may think of Joshua and Jericho – or Elijah on Mt. Carmel. Then of course there is the Lord Jesus Himself and the many occasions of His demonstrating the kingdom.
In all these events we see something of the nature of these two opposite kingdoms, and of the superiority of God’s kingdom over Satan’s. We may also learn something concerning our own lives and of the conflict we face from day to day. Each of these historic events may teach us of the things God wants us to know and the victory He wants us to share.
We are coming to a time when we shall witness another great collison between God’s kingdom and Satan’s. No doubt it shall be as great, if not greater than all the others that have preceded it. And it shall be a time when once again, God displays His all-surpassing greatness and dominion over Satan.
To this end our spirit’s cry, ‘Come Lord Jesus’.
As we read in 1 Sam. 17 of the battle between David and Goliath we can first of all see that there are three principal characters which may represent three different peoples.
Firstly there is Goliath and the Philistines. They represent the world, or more specifically unredeemed, rebellious man. There is something about them which may be encompassed by the term, ‘The spirit of this age’.
There they stand, full of defiance and mockery. Wilful and arrogant, they represent man, in the fullness of self power and self glory.
This is the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil come to maturity. The Pride of Life that looks down upon God from it’s own lofty height. The fullness of man which seeks to be ‘as God’ and even to destroy all that is of God in his quest to have dominion of the earth.
We may notice in the description of Goliath that there is reference to the number six. The number of man. He was six cubits in height, he had six pieces of armour, and his spearhead weighed six hundred shekels.
We could say that he represents everything that the term ‘anti-christ’ may speak of, as he stands there mocking all that is of God and calling God’s people into battle.
As we look out upon the world today we can see Goliath readying himself again. We can hear the challenges ringing out saying, ‘Where is your God’ and the accusations pouring forth to belittle the church and call her to war. This has always been the very essence of that antichrist spirit.
The second character in this story is King Saul and his army. This group represent the people of God, BUT they are the people of God under the dominion of the flesh.
They are a defeated company. They stand there facing Goliath, fearful, intimidated and without anointing or strength from God.
We may ask, ‘Why is this?.. How can it be?’
How can the people of God find themselves in this kind of a situation and such a condition? The answer is, that although they are the people of God they are still ruled and controlled by the spirit of this world. They are under the dominion of King Saul – the flesh.
Let us take a look at them.
They stand there in all their worldly armour. They are fitted out with everything that the world counts for something. They have their WEAPONS OF FLESH, their horses and chariots, – and of course they have their king who stands so tall above the rest. They look just like all the other nations in so many ways.
I cannot help wondering how many of our denominations and church organisations are just like the armies of Saul. They are full of the ways of the world and their strength comes from money, organization, and the power of the flesh. We see in them the same spirit of this world that promotes itself with all manner of human ability, gimmicks, and sales techniques
There is also another characteristic that is common to the Saul church. That is, disobedience to the word of the Lord.
King Saul cared more for the outward appearances of success and power than for obedience to God’s word. He would obey God as long as it suited him and as long as it didn’t threaten his own ambitions and desires to be successful in the eyes of the people.
It is the same today. Success power and outward appearances are the most important considerations. God’s will and His purposes are often compromised for the sake of human interest and human traditions.
For that reason they will stand alone on that day that Goliath confronts them. They will discover that Goliath is far stronger in terms of this world than they are themselves, and they will realise that they are no match for him.
How frightening it will be on that day… although today they are so full of their own strength and hypnotised by their own praises and positive confessions.
Thank God there is a third group in this story. It is the group that is characterised by David.
Yes, David was one of the people of God. But he wasn’t a part of Saul’s army. In the same way today there is a third group. They are scattered around. They have no special organization or place to call their own. Yet they have two distinguishing characteristics that set them apart;
They have a heart after the Living God and… they are not of King Saul.
This David company, like David of old, is small, insignificant, unimpressive and unimportant. Yet God’s hand is upon them.
David was out in the wilderness tending his sheep when the call came to enter into the battle lines. He was doing that which God has placed in his care – even though it was insignificant and outwardly of little importance.
In the same way today there are those that ask, ‘What are you doing for God? What has come of your leaving the system?’ They measure everything by outward considerations and spend their lives racing around, organizing great things for God, yet in the end accomplishing little. The flesh profits nothing.
David knew nothing of Saul’s ways. He hadn’t been in any of Saul’s training schools. He didn’t know how to even polish his armour let alone wear it into battle. All David knew, he had learned out there amongst the ordinary circumstances of daily life. He had learned the simple things of truth, love and faithfulness. He had learned how to Walk with God each day.
But this is God’s way. He always takes the lowly things, the foolish things, and the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.
Likewise God is preparing a people today. They are nothing now. Some have left denominations, some are still amongst them wondering why it is that they no longer feel a part of it all any more. They can no longer get excited by the latest seminar or out-reach. Instead they sigh and groan at the lack of God’s presence in the church, and they are grieved by the way human power has filled the gap.
When David arrived on the scene, he had no organization backing him. There were no credentials or any such thing. There was only the anointing. God knew where He wanted David to be. God brought things together as He always does…. in the fullness of time.
David could stand before Goliath because God was with him. Nothing more and nothing less. His spirit was stirred against this monster David was not afraid. He knew that there was one far greater who was standing with him.
When David spoke to Goliath to challenge him, it was not so much David speaking as God Himself speaking.
When David took the stone and placed it in his sling, again it was God choosing and preparing.
When David sent his stone flying toward it’s mark.. it was God guiding it to just the right place.
Such is the way with all true ministry. It is God in man doing the work and bringing forth the fruit.
There are many today who are trying to achieve great things for God. They are using all of this world’s resources to try and do it. Yet God is not doing it. They imagine that human effort is the key to divine fruitfulness. They have missed God’s way completely.
God desires a people who are dead to man’s ways and man’s methods as far as kingdom work is concerned. He is preparing a people who will wait for Him, and move as He moves them, and who will work according to His power that works in them mightily.
It may take Him a long time to get a man or woman to that place… yet God has time.
That day is coming when that great conflict will arrive. Which company will we be a part of? Will it be Goliath’s? or King Saul’s?… or will it be David’s?
It may be hard to say right now, but the day will declare it. Nothing is surer… That day will declare it… For then we shall find ourselves in the place that our hearts have chosen.
Let us call upon the Lord today, while it is still today… asking Him to change our hearts and take us into that David company. May we seek to learn to walk with God and be faithful unto all that He may call us to do. May we learn the ways of humility and be satisfied with simply living before Him each day. May we also be careful to remain free from the ways of King Saul.
Praise God for His all-surpassing greatness and glory.
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