Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand. 1st Samuel 17:50 (New American Standard Bible)
Who mourned for Goliath? The story of David’s stand against the Philistine warrior of Gath has been vigorously portrayed in both secular and religious interpretations. The media usually uses the account to illustrate how some little company or person wins a big battle over a large corporation and I’ve heard some ministers use it to proudly tell how a small stone shut a big mouth.
But God never takes pleasure in the death of the wicked. The loss of Goliath that day was more catastrophic in the eyes of God than to the Philistines. When anyone dies outside of God’s grace and protection it is a disaster of giant proportions. In today’s world of televised violence and death the deaths of those we don’t like seem to find validation a little too easily. Many would say Goliath had it coming. All the more is the pity that anyone who dies outside of God’s grace receives only a smug and uncompassionate shake of the head. That goes against everything Christ exampled and taught.
It is in our natures to have a win at all costs belief and to all too quickly display a scornful attitude when anyone we don’t like goes down in defeat. Living with this belief makes our hearts cold and rigid and easily shatters God’s compassion in our hearts and any vision for service disappears in the smoke of battle. Christ our Lord bids us to pray and bless those who persecute and curse us instead of gloating over their downfall. God will bring whatever victory is needed and like Goliath all who defy Him will come to destruction all too soon. Who will love them first and who will mourn for them if they fall?
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
Who mourned for Goliath? The story of David’s stand against the Philistine warrior of Gath has been vigorously portrayed in both secular and religious interpretations. The media usually uses the account to illustrate how some little company or person wins a big battle over a large corporation and I’ve heard some ministers use it to proudly tell how a small stone shut a big mouth.
But God never takes pleasure in the death of the wicked. The loss of Goliath that day was more catastrophic in the eyes of God than to the Philistines. When anyone dies outside of God’s grace and protection it is a disaster of giant proportions. In today’s world of televised violence and death the deaths of those we don’t like seem to find validation a little too easily. Many would say Goliath had it coming. All the more is the pity that anyone who dies outside of God’s grace receives only a smug and uncompassionate shake of the head. That goes against everything Christ exampled and taught.
It is in our natures to have a win at all costs belief and to all too quickly display a scornful attitude when anyone we don’t like goes down in defeat. Living with this belief makes our hearts cold and rigid and easily shatters God’s compassion in our hearts and any vision for service disappears in the smoke of battle. Christ our Lord bids us to pray and bless those who persecute and curse us instead of gloating over their downfall. God will bring whatever victory is needed and like Goliath all who defy Him will come to destruction all too soon. Who will love them first and who will mourn for them if they fall?
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
