The Way Of The Warrior
In our last devotional, we began to look at the David, the warrior/king, a young man the Lord began to shape into a person of character who would change Israel into one of the great empires of history. Why is the Lord taking a young shepherd and making him one of the great rulers of the world?
Is the Lord just rewarding David, for being a heroic, and godly person? God has a mission for you and David that are identical. The Lord wants to impact the entire earth, and he will use David and now you, to do it.
Come on, you say! Want proof?
God outlined his plan, way back in Genesis 12, to one man – Abraham. In three verses the Lord tells Abraham, his vision, and how Abraham and you will fulfill it. God makes a contract with Abraham. There are six clauses in the contract, all incumbent upon the Lord to fulfill:
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2, 3 ESV).
This contract tells Abraham that God is in the blessing business, and he will use Abraham and his offspring to bless the earth. The Lord’s vision is the entire world be blessed, by a people group. Is this an ethnic group? Yes and no. Huh?
At first the people who would be blessed, then do the blessing was Israel – the Jews. After Jesus Christ, the one’s to be blessed would expand to more than Jewish ethnic group and include believers in Jesus Christ. If you are a genuine, bona fide Christian, that is you.
Here’s the proof.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal. 3:28, 29 ESV).
God’s ancient promise to Abraham, is now yours. Get used to it. The Lord will bless you, so you will be a blessing, and the goal is for you and yours, and the entire earth! That my friend is God’s plan for your ministry. Does this expand your vision?
David, the shepherd/musician is going to become a king, to influence the whole world. Jesus was heir to David’s throne, and his legacy, and you too, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Read Daniel 7:18, 22, 27; Rev. 3:21; 5:10; 20:6).
Thus, as we follow David’s story, know the Lord will shape you to be royalty, so you can have an impact on your world. You may not have the title of king, but you have the responsibility.
Back to David. 1 Samuel 17. Does God just plop a crown on David’s head, and expect him to fulfill a mission? The Lord is going to put you in spiritual boot camp, think of him as your Drill Instructor. He is not a softy. Remember he is training you to change the world. The Lord trains us to be the person to fulfill his mission. God trains David, as he will you.
David showed up at the battlefield: Ephes-dammim or ‘Border of Blood.’ Two armies are facing one another – Philistine and Israelite. Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, came out and preens in the middle and bellows: “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” (1 Sam. 17:10 ESV). Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. (17:11).
Well this happens day after day, every day, nothing changes: All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. (17:24). David shows up, the musician/shepherd and sees this show and asks: who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).
David meets his first adversary, and it is not Goliath.
Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” (17:28).
David’s own family is going to oppose him. Eliab’s David’s oldest brother, attacks David. Eliab uses devastating weaponry: insults, and minimization. Do not be surprised, when your own family does not notice your heavenly call, then misrepresents your intentions. This happened to David, and to Jesus, and it might happen to you. Jesus brothers thought he was crazy! (Mark 3:21).
Well the family dynamics show up. Eliab was going to put little brother in his place. Eliab used insults to assault David. He insulted David publicly, about his menial job of shepherding, and mentions nothing about his service in Saul’s royal court! Goliath may be a brute, but big brother Eliab is a monster, using ridicule as a weapon. Eliab must be feeling defense about his little brother’s obvious courage.
Don’t be surprised when your own family does not understand the Lord’s call on your life. Verbal attacks are very effective and last a lifetime. They cause heavy damage, like physical wounds from combat, but: David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” (17:29). And he turned away from him…(17:30). David drops the matter with his brother, just like Jesus: When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, (1 Pet. 2:23 ESV).
David and Jesus acted like men of noble character. Will you?
The Warrior’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father. We desire to have your reputation be known throughout the whole earth. We hope that you enable us to be men of noble character, who desire that by us, you can be known. We want to reflect your glory, so that when people see us, they have a way to get a glimpse of you. Continue training us so our actions speak of godly character, and people will be unable to resist your call to them.
Minister to us, so we can minister to others. You have given us privilege, so we can let the world see your grandeur. You have given us hope, so the world can be assured of your presence. You have given us duty, so we can exhibit your character. You have given us vision, so we can focus on the future. You have given us your presence, so we can act with confidence. You have given us family, so we can live sacrificially. You have given us rewards so we can experience your favor. You have given us your Son, so we can live forever. We accept these with the greatest thanksgiving. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.