Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Shield of David


UV 1535/10000 The Shield of David
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
I Samuel 17 v 45

It is interesting to note that Goliath despite his immense size and strength went against the young lad David armed with two weapons of offense – a spear and a sword and one defensive weapon- a shield. But David chose to advance towards the giant without a defensive weapon. It was evidence that he depended on the Lord God of Israel to be his strong defence. He depended on the testimonies and promises of God –of how Jehovah had delivered Israel from the mighty super power Egypt under Pharaoh. He depended on the promise of God that not a hair on his head would be allowed to fall without the knowledge and specific permission of God. His faith was his spiritual shield. His faith in the name of the Lord of hosts. His faith in the strength, faithfulness, omnipotence and love of God was the shield that he carried in his spirit. It was his internal shield that protected him from any and every external weapon.

David acted before he came within the lethal range of Goliath’s weapons. He aimed for a target that was not covered by the shield of Goliath. But Goliath was within the range of David’s only weapon- a sling and stones. All our enemies are always within the lethal zone of our weapons of warfare as they are not of this world but are spiritual. Prayer traverses the distance between us and Almighty God. Prayer is the sling that gives us access to the invincible power of the Lord. Our sword is of the spirit and it is the Word of God. Our tongue declaring the Name and Word of God as David declared is the sword unsheathed and ready for battle. Whenever and wherever we face any fear or threat, we should dip into the Shepherd’s bag- the Word just as David dipped his hand into the shepherd’s bag. The shepherd was transformed into a warrior in a few minutes of shared history. We need to share time and space with the Creator-Redeemer and we share His history. Our destiny will be transformed. David had come to the camp of Israel as an errand boy. He entered the battlefield as a challenger and left it as a hero and champion.

Today, the challenges and foes we face in the world in real time are not any less formidable and powerful than a Goliath. In fact, as they are invisible and unknown and attack from unknown quarters with unknown weapons, these forces are even more deadly or dangerous than Goliath. But our invisible weapons of offence and defence are even more powerful. The Names of God, the Commander in Chief of the armies of heaven are a tower of power. David did not even kneel in prayer before combat with Goliath. He merely declared the power of God and affirmed his faith in His saving power. He declared the utter defeat and death of Goliath. He declared the victory of God over Israel. He did not rely on his own prowess, bravery or strength though he utilised it. When we yield to God, He becomes our shield against every foe and every type of weapon.

Prateep V Philip

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