Human Boasting

When war was declared by Israel against the Philistines, three of the sons of Jesse joined the army under Saul; but David remained at home. After a time, however, he went to visit the camp of Saul. By his father’s direction he was to carry a message and a gift to his elder brothers and to learn if they were still in safety and health…. As David drew near to the army, he heard the sound of commotion, as if an engagement was about to begin….

Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, came forth, and with insulting language defied Israel and challenged them to provide a man from their ranks who would meet him in single combat….

For forty days the host of Israel had trembled before the haughty challenge of the Philistine giant. Their hearts failed within them as they looked upon his massive form, in height measuring six cubits and a span. Upon his head was a helmet of brass, he was clothed with a coat of mail that weighed five thousand shekels, and he had greaves of brass upon his legs. The coat was made of plates of brass that overlaid one another, like the scales of a fish, and they were so closely joined that no dart or arrow could possibly penetrate the armor. At his back the giant bore a huge javelin, or lance, also of brass. “The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and one bearing a shield went before him.”7Ibid., 644-646.

Israel did not defy Goliath, but Goliath made his proud boasts against God and His people. The defying, the boasting, and the railing must come from the opposers of truth, who act the Goliath. But none of this spirit should be seen in those whom God has sent forth to proclaim the last message of warning to a doomed world.

Goliath trusted in his armor. He terrified the armies of Israel by his defiant, savage boastings, while he made a most imposing display of his armor, which was his strength.
Conflict and Courage p. 162
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
——Please pray for a fair and peaceful election on Tuesday and that God will lead in the choice of candidates. anon
—–Urgent prayer request for a family who has been attending one of our churches whose son nearly died last night. He’s been flown to ______ and I don’t know details. Marlene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,

When I was a little girl, my grandfather was my constant companion. From the time he came home from work until I had to go to bed, I followed him everywhere he went and watched everything that he did. He worked long hours and often needed to rest, but I understood non of that. I wanted to be with him and bask in his attention. I never tired of hearing his stories about his life long ago. When he would tire of telling them, he would ask me to sing to him. I would pick up the “Golden Songs” songbook and sing the songs he loved so well. These were of the past—“The Old Oaken Bucket,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Tenting Tonight on the Old Campground,” and “The Old Folks at Home.” When I would sing the song “Tenting Tonight,” he would sing with me. His eyes would get a far away look, and I knew that he was thinking of the days when he was young.

Just as my grandfather set aside his need of rest to spend time with me, so we have Someone Who longs to have an even closer fellowship with us than my grandfather and I had. He yearns to have us follow Him everywhere. He is a Friend Who will never forsake us for He “sticketh closer than a brother.” Think of it! The Great Creator of the Universe, He Who upholds all things by the word of His power , desires to be our constant companion. He says to us, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Jer 33:3, Ps32:8

Indeed, our Great Redeemer loves us so much that He has laid down His life for us. John tells us, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9,10 Our Dear Saviour “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:7,8

Moreover, He yearns to dwell with us, to take control of our life, and to untangle the jumbled mess that we have made of it, but we must allow Him to do so. He never comes uninvited. He pleads, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev 3:20,21 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22

May we open our heart’s door to Jesus, allowing Him “to will and to do of His good pleasure” in our life. Phil 2:13 May we reflect Him as did the face of Moses when He came down from the Mount. May we focus totally upon our Loving Saviour, following Him everywhere that He goes, watching all that He does, being filled with the Spirit more and more, singing unto Him psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, continually making melody in our heart to the Lord, making His Great Heart of Love glad because He loves us so.

Rose