David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty."

I Samuel 17:45, NIV 

 

When King Saul disobeyed God for the last time, God determined that He would place a man after His own heart upon the throne. That man was David. After David had been anointed by Samuel, we are told that the Spirit of the LORD came upon him. While he was still guarding his father's sheep, David killed both a bear and a lion that came to kill the sheep that he was responsible for. If you can imagine killing a bear or a lion with your bare hands, then you can begin to imagine the power that God gave to David.

 

And this power from God made David absolutely fearless! So, when Goliath (a nine foot tall human tank) challenged the armies of Israel, only David was unafraid. He immediately went to King Saul and told him that he would fight the giant. When Saul (the man all the people thought looked like a champion) heard David's offer he was amazed for David was only a youth. When Saul told David that he could not hope to win against Goliath, David's response was that he had already killed the bear and the lion, and the Philistine would be like them.

 

In other words, David had no fear other than a proper fear for God. And he had absolute faith in God, for when Goliath scorned David's challenge, David informed the giant that the battle belonged to the LORD. And David won the battle!

 

I know that everyone is likely familiar with the account of David and Goliath, but I do want to point this out: Even though David acknowledged that the battle belonged to the LORD, David still went out to fight the battle personally. And he still prepared for the battle by gathering not one, but five stones for the battle. In other words, while David trusted in God, he still understood that he had his part to do - and he did it!

 

I believe that the times we live in call for men and women after God's own heart. I believe that God will use these modern day champions in the same manner that He used David, if only they will have the courage to stand. This type of courage can only come from an absolute trust in God and from the proper fear of God. Do you have that type of the only fear that a man really needs?

 

One last thought: I'm not suggesting that we arm ourselves for a physical battle. What I am suggesting is that we prepare ourselves for the spiritual stands that the righteous must make from time to time and that can be just as demanding as physical conflict. So, if you are prepared to take that kind of righteous stand, then trust in God and make your preparations, for God will surely expect us all to make righteous stands, just as He did David.

 

The only question is, will you stand?

 

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord."

I Peter 3:13-15, NIV 

 

Today is day 9 of the 30 Day Challenge to read through the books of the champions and the kings, with the 11th through 17th chapters of I Samuel being the reading for today. May God richly bless your efforts as you determine to fear Him and no other!