David

FACING GIANT PROBLEMS

(June 30, 2023) Richard Winter shares encouragement…

Our world continues to  face giant challenges! Yes, these are real giant issues even affecting we Christians – but we will overcome them as we trust our God!

The Bible has a famous story of a giant – Goliath, and a little shepherd boy, David, who trusted God. Goliath was 9 feet (2.74m) tall, a champion wearing heavy armour, who stood shouting and defying the people of God. (1 Samuel 17:1–11). To Israel he seemed to be unbeatable.

As well as physical giants, there are metaphorical ones that can shout at us! In short, a ‘giant’ is a big, seemingly insurmountable problem or issue.

Personal giants
These could include giant challenges in relation to –

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TRUSTING GOD – TODAY’S MAJOR CHALLENGE

(June 30, 2023) With concern Robert and Maureen McQuillan ask…

Question: ‘Which four words should be remembered if we’re doubting God’s word?’ Genesis 3:1!

Here’s how various Bible versions read about Eve being deceived about God’s word… and that fruit (whatever kind it was!)–

  • GNB – ‘Did God really tell you…?’
  • Mge – ‘Do I understand that God told you…?’
  • NET – ‘Is it really true that God said…?’
  • NIV – ‘Did God really say…?’
  • TLB expands a little – ‘Really?… None of the fruit…? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?’ 

Subtle challenge
Eden’s wily serpent represents that most cunning, subtle Satan. ‘Serpent’ is nachash, hissingly pronounced naw-khawash after a snake’s ‘hiss.’

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SPELUNKING!

(August 9, 2022) Richard Winter shares timely advice…

Let me share something from my childhood days.

I grew up just a few miles from the caves where a famous Australian Bushranger – bandit – hid while robbing gold carrying stagecoaches coming from the rich goldfields the state of Victoria. And my best friend and I often went splelunking together.

Splelunking? That’s going down holes in the ground, exploring caves that lead under the earth. Yes, it can be quite dangerous and it worried our mothers! But the nearby Captain Melville caves were just the start for us. Soon we heard about other places where we could go spelunking.

Then came Queen’s Scout days. That was a life of adventure and danger – isn’t that what all boys long for? Well, we did. There were no computers back then and life was best lived outside home – so off we went.

I loved those caves! In most cases you were exploring not only what’s under the earth but what was inside you! No mobiles in those days and one could be easily troubled by thoughts such as –

  • How will we get back?
  • Could we turn around the tight cavern corners?
  • If we need help, how can we get some way down here?
  • Do we have a plan for the worst-case scenario?

Entrapment caves
I’ve found that many people don’t like certain caves… but they’ve learned to dwell in them mostly by themselves or with a few family members or friends to help.

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DAVID’S ARSENAL

(May 10, 2021) Brian Bell shares a follow-up meditation…

Last month I shared a meditation about David (See David-and-his-Giants). In it I referred to David’s encounter with Goliath and suggested several ‘Spirit-filled’ characteristics which I believe David displayed but I did not elaborate on them in that article.

For several weeks now I found myself meditating on the Holy Spirit and I was drawn back to David’s encounter with Goliath and an emphasis on how the Holy Spirit enabled David. I will try to relate it to how the Holy Spirit enables us as believers in the ‘battleground’ of prayer.

The encounter is found in 1 Samuel 17: 38-47 and in verse 45 we find –

1. David came in the right name (v45: ‘…in the name of the Lord Almighty’)
I am sure some of you will be familiar with a Power of Attorney. It’s a legal document giving a person the authority to act on behalf of a nominated person – very often an elderly relative – but only in their best interests. This reminds me of the words of the Lord Jesus ‘whatever you ask in my name.’

This term ‘whatever’ is not an opportunity for me to come with a personal wish list of selfish requests (while I can bring personal needs in prayer), it is an opportunity to seek those things which are in the best interests of the Lord’s divine will and purpose and those persons or issues the Holy Spirit may lead me to pray for.

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THE GOD OF PARDON, PRESENCE AND PROVISION

 (January 14, 2020) Brian Bell reflects on David’s life experiences…

Although I try not to give too much attention to it, it occurs at the same time every year, on January 1 – my birthday – New Year’s Day; it’s one of those more memorable dates in our calendar.

This birthday I was reminded of Psalm 37:25 where David says, ‘I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.’

The Message puts it this way: ‘I once was young, now I’m a greybeard – not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets.’

While I’m sure this verse wasn’t related to David’s birthday, he reflects on his past: ‘I have been young’ but also on his present ‘…now I am old.’

David’s life experiences – four snapshots

Irrespective of the age range of those who  read this little meditation, whether we class ourselves as ‘young’ or ‘old’, at the most basic level this verse speaks to me about David’s experience of life. It’s in the natural progress of life from birth to its end that we too acquire experience.

Here are four ‘snapshots’ from David’s life experience –

1. Time as a shepherd –
Spent in the hills around Bethlehem and I believe most likely the time when he formed an intimate relationship with the Lord; when he composed many of his ‘songs’ or ‘psalms’ as we know them. (more…)