Context of 1 Samuel 17.
A couple of weeks ago, we took a break from Hebrews to look at the faith of David as he faced Goliath. Here is a brief summary up until the critical point of my blog post today. Israel and the Philistine army had gathered for battle about 12 miles from Bethlehem. One day, a giant named Goliath, an undefeated champion, stepped forth with a proposition for the Israelite army: "One of you come forward to fight me and if you win, we become your slaves, and if I defeat you, you will become your slaves." For 40 days, two times a day, the challenge goes unmet. The Israelite Army is defeated by Goliath's words and all they feel is fear. No one is motivated enough, courageous enough or burdened enough to stand for God and his people.
On day 41, David arrives with some bread and cheese just as the army is going out to battle. David leaves the cheese and bread with someone and runs to the battle line to see what will happen. Goliath comes forth, shouts his defiance and then the Israelite army runs away. David is shocked and seeks to find out more information in regard to what is going on with Goliath. As he is talking with the men, this happens: 1 Samuel 17:28 Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29 And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before.
David's brother speaks condemnation to him, questions his heart and motives. Words do matter from others, but David decides to ignore and not let them shape him, a great principal we all need to follow.
A second instance happens just moments after David's encounter with his brother and this one happens in King Saul's presence. Here is this encounter: 1 Samuel 17:31 When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. 32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”
Now, it is King Saul who speaks words into David's life. You are to young, to inexperienced, Goliath is to great, etc. What will David do? Will he let the King's words shape him?
Two times in a matter of minutes, David is told his motives are evil and that he is to young and inexperienced. So the question must be asked, "Whose voice will we allow to speak in our head?" 2 people, older than him are telling him that he cannot accomplish what is in his heart. He has heard the words but he must decide if they will shape him and determine the course of his life. Which voice will he adhere to and allow to fill his mind - God's or Man's. Every day we are faced with this choice.
We can all relate to this. We get an email, we see something on Facebook, we get a letter in the mail, someone is harsh in our presence, a boss ridicules, a parent says we are stupid. It goes on and on. Whose voice will we let in? Will we let them determine our course
We cannot let the anger, doubt, lack of vision, and insecurities of others shape our lives. Do not let them into our head. They will not lead us to Jesus - ever - that is why we should not listen to them.
David heard God on this day. His fear was of God, not man.
Later in his life, David would write this: Psalm 119:32 "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" Our hearts will never be enlarged, nor will we run in the way of God's commandments when other voices shape us.
Let God's word shape us and fill our minds!
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