God's Guerillas

"And David spake to the men that stood by him saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Samuel 17 v 4. The words we speak are very vital to set up either victory or defeat. The words we speak with faith in God, confidence in ourselves and hope in our future are the seed we sow in the spirit. David sowed the seed of his victory by questioning the credentials of Goliath in defying Israel and their God. The Israelites had faced many challenges as a people and a nation but here was an individual challenge thrown at them. The Israelites saw Goliath' s gargantuan dimensions, his formidable armour and spear and they shuddered at the prospect of a one to one fight with him. But David did not look at the height or strength or weapons of Goliath. Neither did he listen to his defiant and arrogant words. David knew that he worshipped a God who is much bigger, wiser, stronger and nobler than any challenge he faced in life. His faith filled him with confidence in himself, courage and wisdom. David's three brothers who were soldiers in Saul's army thought that it was sheer imprudence and bravado on his part to even think of taking the gauntlet against the giant Goliath. Saul himself thought it was impossible for this callow youth to attempt to fight with that experienced giant of a warrior. But David recalled how he had fought and overpowered a lion and a bear in his career as a shepherd. He had encountered impossible or improbable odds successfully in the past and he was confident he could do so again. He knew that he did not have to be as strong as his quarry to defeat him. He only needed to be more wise, shrewd and resourceful. He only needed to be more skilful. But beyond that he knew that he had the spiritual armour that no weapon could possibly penetrate- his faith in the living God who had delivered him in the past from many threats, risks and dangers. The secret of David's victory over Goliath was the anointing he received from The Lord when the prophet Samuel poured sacred oil upon him and declared him as the king if Israel chosen by The Lord. Facing Goliath and causing him to fall to the ground face down and then slaying him with Goliath's own sword was part of God's plan to make him king of Israel. David did not wait till he was in striking distance of Goliath. He struck him on his forehead with the stone shot from his sling. His skill with the sling developed even as a shepherd played a crucial role in his victory. He was God's own guerrilla. Goliath was before him a brainless, feckless, clueless " uncircumcised gorilla. " God also uses our natural talents, skills and prior training coupled with our faith in Him to deliver us and give us amazing victories in life. We are His guerrillas today.