Day 16: The Way Of The Warrior

The Way Of The Warrior

In our last devotional, we explored how David was preparing to fight Goliath.  Before we look at their actual fight, we’ll explore how David, the anointed King was the forerunner of his future descendant, Jesus, who was also called to be King.

Remember, like David, Jesus had credentials to be King. David was from the Tribe of Judah, the royal tribe (Gen 49:10), then he was inaugurated (1 Sam 16:12, 13). David was anointed by a spiritually mature man, Samuel (1 Kings 16:12) in the presence of his family. Jesus, also from the tribe of Judah (Matt 1:1 – 17) recognized by a godly sage, Simeon who identified Jesus as the salvation of the Lord (Luke 2:25 – 33), in front of his family. In addition, like David, Jesus was known by other titles: David a shepherd and musician, Jesus as Rabbi, and carpenter.  Humble beginnings, before being called to be kings.

David’s name means: ‘beloved’. Jesus is called ‘beloved’ by his Heavenly Father: and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17 ESV).

David had a great reputation, and the people requested he become king: And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” (2 Sam. 19:14).  Jesus also, had such a following that people desired him to be King: Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (Jn. 6:15).

David was identified as a shepherd: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, (2 Sam. 7:8).  Jesus identified himself as a shepherd: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:11). Both, shepherd – kings.  Both went from the humble to sublime.

Both had dedicated followers: David; 1 Sam 22:1, 2; Jesus had his disciples: Luke 10:1. David had enormous admirers at the beginning of his public career: when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing…(1 Sam. 18:6). Jesus: And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (Matt. 4:25)

David and Jesus had stunning victories over death.  David facing a powerful force – Goliath, then defeating him (1 Sam 17). Jesus defeated death by raising Lazarus (John 11).

Yet both David and Jesus were sympathetic to the needs of their people: Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.” (2 Sam. 24:17).  Jesus: And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! (Lk. 19:41, 42).

While David’s and Jesus lives shared many similarities, they were not identical. However, we point out these comparisons to confirm their legacies mirrored one another.  God delights in giving interesting ‘heads-up’ confirming his revelation.

Consequently, when David and Goliath go nose to nose, there is a precedence.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:15).  Now we are flipping the comparison – David is like Jesus.  In Genesis 3:15, the Lord is going nose to nose with Satan.  The Lord is eyeballing Satan, and telling him exactly what he is going to do to him.

The Lord says that the future seed of the woman – Jesus, is going to: bruise your head.  This is not just giving him a lump on the head, it means to ‘crush.’  Satan will be squashed!  The Lord will let Satan get a swipe in: “…you shall bruise his heel.”

Why?

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isa. 53:5). Jesus is taking a hit for us.  That’s your protection. That’s the crucifixion, my friend.

Satan isn’t tough enough to stand against the Lord.  Later in Revelation, an unnamed angel comes and: Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him… (Rev. 20:1-3 ESV).  This angel is throwing Satan around like he’s a bean-bag.  Mighty hard-nosed warrior angels around to help manage things. He works for the Lord.

Trust me, when Jesus shows up, he’s a lot bigger and tougher, then Satan. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (Jas. 4:7).  You’re on the winning team, guys.

Well, David has a job to do.  Just like Jesus with Satan, David is going to face Goliath. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. (1 Sam. 17:40)

Good night!  David doesn’t even have ammunition and he’s moving forward to fight.  He  ‘chooses’ five stones.  He’s in no hurry, he is not overwhelmed, he’s carefully considering his best ‘ammo’ for his sling. (In Vietnam I carried 24 mags, with 18 rounds each. Ran out of ammo once).  Seems David is mighty confident with so little ammo.

Why 5 stones?  Why not 7, or 25, or 117?  This number tells you something about how David’s mind works.  He’s carefully considering something – what?  Goliath has four brothers!  2 Sam 21:22; 2 Chron 20:5 – 8.  Whaaaat?!

David is not wilting from Goliath, and he’s expecting to fight more than one!

And remember, God put David in this position.  He’s training David.  He’ll train you too.

The Warrior’s Prayer