June 14, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“During the night I had a vision, and there before me was a man mounted on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.” (Zechariah 1.8)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

“Yes, even when I walk through the ravine of the shadow of death [beyond a shadow of a doubt] I will fear no evil for You, o Lord, are with me. Your rod and your staff are a comfort to me.” (Psalm 23.4) I retell the story of “David and Goliath” in my book describing shepherd leadership using the 23rd Psalm as a hymn of preparation for battle. In it, I reflect back to the biblical recording of that event and make sure the geography of that battle is clear. I even refer to maps of the battleground to make it clear that our real battles are face to face with no escape. In fact, David not only calls Goliath out but calls him down to the playing field. For Goliath, the mighty and feared Goliath, there was a strength in conducting a taunting match across the ravine. On one side was the Philistine Army rattling spears, swords and shields. Some may have been so foolish as to hurl rocks at their adversary as a sign of derision. The rocks were not launched from trebuchets, so they had little chance to reach their target. But a hailstorm of rocks clanging against the rugged terrain below would have had an echoing effect.

On the other side stood the Hebrew Army soldiered together by King Saul. They would have mimicked the “saber rattling” of the Philistines in response. They, sadly, were the antiphonal response to the Philistine lead. While Goliath would rail against the Israelites and their “mighty” God, the response from the Israelites sounded more like a “boooooo” than a praise of their God and the confidence it should inspire. Why would I suggest this? Because armies generally reflect the temperament of their leaders. Where was Goliath? He could be easily seen not only by his stature at nearly 9 feet tall but by his placement at the front of his army toeing the ridge of the ravine. I can see this stature and his posturing with the memory of my youngest daughter as she stood on a 2 x 12 which was the framework of the tree deck I built for her and her sister around a great tree in our backyard. I was piecing together the flooring for the upper deck when I heard her voice, she was four at the time, asking “Daddy, does this scare you?” I glanced over my shoulder from the finished corner where I was working from. I saw here leaning out from that 2 x 12, which was on end and not lying flat, on here heels. I could see her mother’s frantic face through the den window as she watched. I should my head “no” to her mother so she would not panic and possibly distract our daughter from her pose. I said, calmly, “No, not at all; good job.” Of course, I lied, but I could not let her know I was ready to pull her back in one swoop of my arms. Her response? She shrugged her shoulders and balance-beamed her way to the ladder and climbed down. My orientation and posturing in that moment was determined by hers. As she leaned out, I leaned forward. As she was calm and matter-of-fact, so I had to be as well. For the Philistines, toeing the line of the ravine ridge incited fear and a preparedness to attack. Goliath would step forward and taunt Israel and his army cheered and chanted with equal fervor. Meanwhile, on the other side of the story stood Israel.

Israel was more than likely a mirror image of its king, Saul. If we remember the story of how Saul became king, he was found (though a head taller than any other in all Israel) hiding in the baggage of a caravan. As Goliath roared from across the ravine, Saul cowered in the corner of his tent which was divided into rooms. One of those room may have been his armor room. It gave him the appearance of power. However, I have to consider that the rattling of the sword, spear and shield against each other as he quivered anxiously behind them was a giveaway of his true state of mind. So, too, would his army be as they watched distantly removed from the precipice in a lack of engagement. Some may have hoped Saul would respond and they would fight, live or die. Some may have hoped Goliath would weary and leave though everyone knew that would not happen. What did happen? In walks David the shepherd boy. He was bringing cheese, olives, dates and wine for his brothers as they stood on the battleline; at least somewhere in the proximity of it. He was bringing greetings and encouragement from their father and the elders at the gate of Bethlehem. He walked calmly through the ranks no doubt wondering what the paralysis of the troops was all about. He heard the ranting and railing of Goliath cursing Israel and their God. He spoke of them as curs of the desert; impotent and nervously on the prowl fearful of a greater predator. David was amazed and embarrassed. He probably said as much to his brothers in no uncertain terms. He may have even thrown down the supplies he bore for them as a shepherd would for his lost sheep. His brothers may have responded in a similar manner as did the brothers of Joseph. They may have contemplated throwing him over the ravine’s edge like a skipping stone since there was no hole or trough at hand. Eventually the word got back to Saul that David had accepted his challenge for a champion among his army to face Goliath. For such effort, if he survived, was riches, his family free from taxes and his daughter’s hand in marriage. David did not care about the reward. Instead, he cared only that the integrity of God’s name and the promise made to the people of Israel be defended. Though fearful, he remained calm. Seasoned by his experiences against lions and bears, wolves and snakes and thieves, he agreed to confront Goliath.

We know the end of the story for that day. David called Goliath out and down. He may have even walked through a grove of myrtle trees to do so. Without question, as I tell the story, David knew the lay of the land because he had led his father’s flocks through it, over it and around it. He was at peace with the task at hand and took it, literally, into his own hands being committed to serve and defend the honor of his God. Mighty ones of God, where are we in this story? Are we hiding beyond the edge of the ravine because it is filled with the shadow of death? Are we afraid to speak out and confront the affronts of the world against God and His people? Are we in hiding in our own homes and safe houses hoping that evil will simply go away? Or are we confident and at peace with what is needed to confront the lie which others declare is the truth? Are we willing to not only “toe the line” but step beyond it and put our faith to the test? Surely we know we shall not test the Lord our God. He will surely allow us to be tested but never beyond our strength, resource and resolve. We must not only assume a posture of faith but engage in posturing ourselves in such a way that no one will doubt who we are and whose we are. Let us remember what David said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because You, o God, are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort and support me. [Of course, a sling didn’t hurt either!] And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.