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1 Samuel 17:32-19:17; Psalm 59; 1 Samuel 19:18-24<\/strong><\/span> Today in 1 Samuel chapter 17 read about David & Goliath. In verse 45 we read \u2013 \u201cDavid said to the Philistine, \u201cYou come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.\u201d<\/em> How often in our lives today are we like Goliath, where we try to make things work or do things with our own strength or our latest technology? Goliath relied on his strength and sword and spear and javelin \u2013 and perhaps we today rely on our intellectual pride and Blackberry and career and money. David simply relied on God. David moved in the name of God. How often do you move in the name of God today? How often do you completely rely on only God today? Can you move beyond relying solely on your \u201cstrengths\u201d and \u201ctechnologies\u201d and instead move and breathe and rely on God in every circumstance in your life?\u00a0 Below is \u201cDavid Slaying Goliath\u201d by Peter Paul Rubens from the year 1620:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings titled \u201cDavid and Goliath\u201d is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n This is a powerful verse in First Samuel 18:14 today: \u201cDavid continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him.\u201d <\/em>I think that is so important to know \u2013 David succeeded in all he did because God was with him.\u00a0 And I believe this applies to us today as well.\u00a0 We will succeed in all we do if God is with us.\u00a0 Now \u2013 don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 when I say succeed, I do not mean \u201csucceed\u201d as the world might define this word.\u00a0 I mean we will succeed spiritually in all we do if we are in a loving and growing and obedient relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son (who is God).\u00a0 This success might mean that we actually become \u201cpoor\u201d in the world\u2019s eyes and serve overseas or in our own town in a ministry that won\u2019t make us a million.\u00a0 But \u2013 if we are living in right relationship with God than we have truly succeeded in life.\u00a0 Nothing else matters.\u00a0 Below\u2019s an image of a young David succeeding in saving a lamb from the jaws of a lion and offering up praise to God for the success!<\/span><\/p>\n It is great to see Jonathan asking his father Saul to not murder David in First Samuel chapter 19.\u00a0 I read a commentary that said Jonathan had really been won over by David after David killed Goliath.\u00a0 It is thought that perhaps David shared with Saul and Jonathan his faith in God and why he was fearless of Goliath early in chapter 18 or late in chapter 17 (in yesterday\u2019s readings), and that Jonathan believed David\u2019s faith was true.\u00a0 In any case, we do see in chapter 18 verses 3 & 4 these words: \u201cAnd Jonathan made a special vow to be David\u2019s friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Jonathan is obviously living up to this pact here in chapter 19. (the images above and below are really from yesterday\u2019s readings, but I thought they were both quite good pictures of David \u2013 and Jonathan below. Oh, and Goliath too\u2026 \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n An image by Gustave Dore is below for First Samuel 18 verses 10 & 11: \u201cThe very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled \u201cDavid Joins Saul\u2019s Family\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and commentary titled \u201cDavid\u2019s Divine Deliverance\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 1 Samuel about David & Goliath reminded me of Casting Crowns\u2019 song \u201cVoice of Truth:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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