Stand

Last month I was thinking about David; the shepherd boy who became king. I thought mainly of the battle he had to fight with Goliath. The scene was interesting as two armies stood on different sides of the valley facing each other. Saul and his men stayed in the valley of Elah listening to Goliath the Philistine mocking and trying to provoke them to fight. For forty days this went on.

I have no idea what Saul was thinking. What was his plan of action? But as they waited David came to the battle field, a young man, full of potential, to stand against Goliath. Saul’s army was there but didn’t try to do anything. They sat passively listening for forty days. I imagine the rest of the Philistine army was cheering Goliath on. David probably knew he had the potential to fight Goliath, but he didn’t take pride in his own ability or strength. He courageously stood in God’s name against the enemy of Israel. When He came to the battlefield he didn’t sit passively with his brothers watching Goliath. He moved into action and took his stand.

Imagine his courage! He had no weapon on him except the five smooth stones and a sling. I think everyone must have gone silent when David moved forward to confront Goliath. Everyone was waiting to see if the Philistine would crush little David. But David, with a stone and sling, knocked the Philistine to the ground.

This is a great example for every child of God to follow. We’re in a battle field as long as we’re in this world. The more the end draws near, the fiercer the battle is. But our warfare is not against flesh and blood. We’re fighting a spiritual battle. The enemy knows his end is near, therefore:

‘For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

We’re part of a kingdom. We have a king who reigns forever on His throne. We’re His
Ambassadors, but we’re also His army. So how do we fight this battle? ‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete’ (2 Corinthians 10:5-6).

As God’s army we need to have our whole armour ready to stand against the devil and his schemes. Stand in prayer for your family, work, country and the area you live in, not being passive, but actively praying that God’s kingdom will come (in your area of influence). Don’t be afraid of Goliath but stand in God’s name for His Kingdom.

Prayer: Father, please help me to stand firm in Your Kingdom as an ambassador, and also as part of Your army. I look to You for strength to stand in the gap. Help me to seek Your will in every area of my life and all around me - my family, country, workplace, and everywhere You’ve placed me to stand for You. Amen.