The story of David going "head to head" with the giant Goliath is one of the most beloved stories in the Bible illustrating the triumph of good over evil.  It is a favorite childhood Bible story.  Today, it stands as a wonderful testimony of the power of God enacted in the life of one faithful servant who took a stand against the evil of the day. 

 

On February 6th, a few thousand believers across this nation began the journey of a lifetime. It was one of trust in the Lord, and reliance on Him as our Sustainer, as we humbly submitted our schedules and surrendered our meals to spend intimate time with our Savior three times a day for 40 days (www.trumpetandtorch.org).  During this journey, many have joined us; they are either just beginning this wonderful pilgrimage or are somewhere in the midst of it.  Still others have heard about the 40 days but have yet to experience the wondrous fulfillment of sitting before Holy God and savoring the tasty portions of His Word for three meals a day. 

 

This message is for all of you.  It does not matter where you are in the journey of your Christian walk.  We have all faced a Goliath at some time or another, and, today, more than ever, he stands before us and taunts us.  How will we react?  Will we listen to the discouraging and abusive words of an evil tyrant and become "dismayed and terrified" like the Israelites, or will we cling to the encouraging and life-giving words of our Holy and loving God and stand firmly with confidence in the battle before us (Isaiah 7:9b)?

 

These 40 days have been a preparation.  By daily feasting on His Divine Truth, we have allowed the "living and active" Word of God to penetrate our flesh, cutting through all that hinders us from experiencing the fullness of His power in our lives (Hebrews 4:12).  His Word has been the missing component in our walk.  We have become weak so that He could be made strong.  We are being crafted into useful vessels for His pleasure and His purpose.  The obedience to sit before Him, surrendering our meals, and the faithfulness to show up each and every day, eating what He places on our plates will be required even more now.  The Lord tells us not only to hear the Word of God but also to obey it (Luke 11:28).

 

As followers of Christ, we have been called to action:  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations ..." (Matthew 28:19); "But wisdom is proved right by her actions." (Matthew 11:19b).  We live in a morally and spiritually bankrupt society.  Our strong Christian heritage has been replaced by a flimsy facade of secularlism.  Instead of making an impact, the Church has found itself at an impasse!  Like the Israelite army, the Church is standing before a valley with the evil tyrant mocking us with false accusations. How long will we stand for it? Are we standing at all?  The Israelites didn't stand, instead they "ran...in great fear" (1 Samuel 17:24).

 

Where is that brave shepherd boy?  Where is he who had a heart like God (1 Samuel 13:14)? Where is the one who peeled off the weighty (and useless!), worldly facade and instead stood firmly clothed in the power of Almighty God (1 Samuel 17:39)? The one who would not stand idly by while a bully defied His God (v.45)? The one who spoke boldy in defense of the Holy One of Israel (v.46)? The one who knew that the battle before him wasn't his to fight, and, in fact, was already won (v.47)? The one who bravely allowed the enemy get close and, instead of retreating, actually ran to meet him (v.48)? The one who used his God-given and Divinely enabled skills to defeat the enemy (v.49)?  Where is the one who stood firm when everyone else was fleeing?  Where is he?

 

"For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand." (v. 16).  A closer look reveals that the overbearing enemy was, in fact, a coward.  He came "with his shield bearer in front of him" (v.41).  Have you noticed how the enemy fights his battles?  He puts someone else out in front: a person who has hurt us, a person we need to forgive, a person who presses all of our right (or wrong!) buttons, or Heaven forbid, a child. Someone else becomes the sacrifice, and we find ourselves buried deeper in guilt and shame.  Have we had enough?  We have been crying out to God for generations. "How long, Lord, before You relent?"  "How long will You remain silent?"  Has He really been silent, or have we been so distracted by the enemy's bluff that we have failed to hear what the Lord has been communicating to us?

 

Edmund Burke reportedly said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."  As Christians, we need to take a good, long look in the mirror and take a serious account of our hearts.  How long will we remain silent?  The Scriptures have given us our marching orders, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2).  We are held accountable for the knowledge we have received, as well as what we do with that knowledge (Ezekiel 3:16-21, Matthew 24:45-47, Matthew 25:14-30, James 3:17).

 

It is time to take a stand!  Like the battle before David, the battle facing us will not be won in human armor because the warfare is spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  We must be dressed in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20).  Those who have faithfully feasted on the Word of God, three meals a day, have found themselves stronger and better equipped to stand firmly and boldly in the midst of the chaos surrounding us.  The Lord called you to this time of consecration because He needs hearts, like David's, to get involved, to get engaged, to take a stand!

 

"The LORD said to Joshua, 'Stand up! What are doing down on your face?' " (Joshua 7:10). The battle before us begins with the children of God.  We must remove the sin from our own camp before we can achieve the victory necessary to impact our culture for the glory of God.  For those who are entering the final week of these 40 days, pray that the Lord will reveal where you need to be more bold and courageous. Take His promise to heart:  "... 'Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.' " (Joshua 1:9).

 

Next week is the Most Holy Week, a time when we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry and His final week before His crucifixion.  Many of our churches have special services to prepare our hearts for the celebration of our Lord's (prayer services, communion, Seder Supper, etc.).  Take time to attend these services; they are a wonderful way to celebrate the renewed communion you have found with your Lord, and they are a welcome opportunity to experience fellowship and communion with your fellow believers, as the Lord desires. 

 

Make time, also, to reflect and meditate upon the goodness of God, which you have personally experienced these past 40 days.  Remember "... that God's kindness leads you toward repentance" (Romans 2:4). Prayerfully consider all that He has revealed to you, and repent of all that is keeping you from being fully His.

 

If you have indeed tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), pray that you will now desire nothing--and no one--else.  You have taken a drink from His "river of delights" (Psalm 36:8), and nothing can compare.   For some of us, that Divine flavor has ruined us for this world, and fasting has become a lifestyle.  Our days are no longer ordered around our meal time; they are ordered around our Lord!  He is our first and utmost priority; we desire only Him.

 

With our eyes fixed on Jesus, we, too, like David, can stand with boldness and assurance that the battle before us has already been won.  If you are not adequately dressed for battle, now is the time to prepare.  If you have prepared, now is the time to make a stand!  Get informed! Get involved! Get out and vote! We can each make a difference in our communities, and we can all impact our culture, but only we Christians can impact our culture for good and for the glory of God!

P.S. Below is a list of recommended links. Become informed and involved as you begin--and as you continue--your journey:

 

Family Research Council

 

American Family Association

 

One News Now

 

Wallbuilders

 

American Congress for Truth

 

Gospel for Asia

 

Voice of the Martyrs