A Passion for God\'s Reputation
A Passion For God’s Reputation
1 Samuel 17
“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”
It is one thing to stand firm in our faith when it is popular; it is another to stand firm when it costs us our reputation. We are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. It is a story we were taught early in Sunday School. It is a story that captures the imagination of how a young teen confronted the champion fighter of the Philistines. When we hear the story, we see his faith and accuracy with a sling. What we often overlook is the reason why David engaged in the battle.
When David visited his brothers on the battlefield, he was shocked to hear the ridicule of Goliath. Goliath was not just taunting the armies of Israel; he was ridiculing the God of the universe. When David heard Goliath’s insults, he was deeply moved. Why were the armies of Israel not confronting Goliath? His question stirred the anger of his brothers and those who heard it. Yet their offense was not directed at Goliath but David for suggesting they should take a stand against this ungodly foe. His brothers accused David of insolence and wickedness. His brothers saw David as a young whippersnapper who merely tried to make himself look good. Even Saul, the king, laughed at David.
However, David was not concerned about what others thought of him. Instead, he was concerned about what people thought of his God. The scripture state that David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Throughout the Psalms, we see David writing of his deep love for God and his desire to glorify him throughout his whole life. Even when he failed, he sought and received God’s forgiveness. David was not perfect, but his love drove him to be passionate about God’s reputation.
Furthermore, as David went into battle, he was confident because of two essential truths. First, David had seen God’s power and protection in the past when God delivered David from dangerous situations. Because of his past victories in battle with a lion and a bear, David knew the power of God. Second, David trusted in God’s word and sought to be obedient to God. In Leviticus 24:16, the Law states that anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death by stoning. It was not by accident that David chose stones as his battle weapon. By selecting the stones, he was following the Law that commanded that any who blaspheme God (as Goliath was doing) was to be put to death. Thus he had victories in the past that gave him confidence, and his obedience to God’s word provided him the authority to act.
The challenge of the story of David and Goliath is not just a challenge to trust in God to give us victory over impossible circumstances. Throughout the story, David was driven by a passion for upholding God’s reputation, even at the risk of his reputation and life. What angered David was not that no one would engage Goliath but that everyone was remaining silent in the face of this blasphemer because of fear. This is a challenge to us to examine our attitude towards God. Are we more concerned about God’s reputation and standing firm in his word than we are about gaining the acceptance and approval of others? Do we remain silent in our witness because we fear what others might think? Do we compromise because of the pressure of the world to conform to their standards? Do we fear their ridicule when we stand for the truth of the Bible? In the end, David was not concerned about the wealth promised by Saul. Instead, his desire and motivation were that “all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (verse 46). As you go through your day, are you striving to live so that the world may know that there is a God in Israel?
1 Samuel 17
“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”
It is one thing to stand firm in our faith when it is popular; it is another to stand firm when it costs us our reputation. We are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. It is a story we were taught early in Sunday School. It is a story that captures the imagination of how a young teen confronted the champion fighter of the Philistines. When we hear the story, we see his faith and accuracy with a sling. What we often overlook is the reason why David engaged in the battle.
When David visited his brothers on the battlefield, he was shocked to hear the ridicule of Goliath. Goliath was not just taunting the armies of Israel; he was ridiculing the God of the universe. When David heard Goliath’s insults, he was deeply moved. Why were the armies of Israel not confronting Goliath? His question stirred the anger of his brothers and those who heard it. Yet their offense was not directed at Goliath but David for suggesting they should take a stand against this ungodly foe. His brothers accused David of insolence and wickedness. His brothers saw David as a young whippersnapper who merely tried to make himself look good. Even Saul, the king, laughed at David.
However, David was not concerned about what others thought of him. Instead, he was concerned about what people thought of his God. The scripture state that David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). Throughout the Psalms, we see David writing of his deep love for God and his desire to glorify him throughout his whole life. Even when he failed, he sought and received God’s forgiveness. David was not perfect, but his love drove him to be passionate about God’s reputation.
Furthermore, as David went into battle, he was confident because of two essential truths. First, David had seen God’s power and protection in the past when God delivered David from dangerous situations. Because of his past victories in battle with a lion and a bear, David knew the power of God. Second, David trusted in God’s word and sought to be obedient to God. In Leviticus 24:16, the Law states that anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death by stoning. It was not by accident that David chose stones as his battle weapon. By selecting the stones, he was following the Law that commanded that any who blaspheme God (as Goliath was doing) was to be put to death. Thus he had victories in the past that gave him confidence, and his obedience to God’s word provided him the authority to act.
The challenge of the story of David and Goliath is not just a challenge to trust in God to give us victory over impossible circumstances. Throughout the story, David was driven by a passion for upholding God’s reputation, even at the risk of his reputation and life. What angered David was not that no one would engage Goliath but that everyone was remaining silent in the face of this blasphemer because of fear. This is a challenge to us to examine our attitude towards God. Are we more concerned about God’s reputation and standing firm in his word than we are about gaining the acceptance and approval of others? Do we remain silent in our witness because we fear what others might think? Do we compromise because of the pressure of the world to conform to their standards? Do we fear their ridicule when we stand for the truth of the Bible? In the end, David was not concerned about the wealth promised by Saul. Instead, his desire and motivation were that “all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (verse 46). As you go through your day, are you striving to live so that the world may know that there is a God in Israel?
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