The more I think about it, the more I think selling the David and Goliath story as an underdog story is heresy. This is not Rocky versus Apollo, or even Rocky versus Ivan Drago- why we are surprised when David kills Goliath is quite interesting, actually. No one reading the covenant story of God and his people sees this as a mismatch: to look at it this way is to share the same worldview as the Philistines. They believe that the stronger, more powerful person is the better agent for the God they represent. This kind of logic disqualifies the weak for true service; instead, the powerful and gifted are the ones through whom the kingdom and reign of their god will be shown. Yet if it is the gods doing battle through David and Goliath, the most logical conclusion is the one at which David arrives: “the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:47) The Lord delivers. He is the deliverer. And God uses the “weak” to display this truth over and over, even to the point where his Son conquers death by death. He uses the ultimate equalizer to show that He alone is God, and there is no other equal: “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.  “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:54-57)

The more I think about it, the more I think selling the David and Goliath story as an underdog story is heresy. This is not Rocky versus Apollo, or even Rocky versus Ivan Drago- why we are surprised when David kills Goliath is quite interesting, actually. No one reading the covenant story of God and his people sees this as a mismatch: to look at it this way is to share the same worldview as the Philistines.

They believe that the stronger, more powerful person is the better agent for the God they represent.

This kind of logic disqualifies the weak for true service; instead, the powerful and gifted are the ones through whom the kingdom and reign of their god will be shown.

Yet if it is the gods doing battle through David and Goliath, the most logical conclusion is the one at which David arrives: “the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Sam 17:47)

The Lord delivers. He is the deliverer. And God uses the “weak” to display this truth over and over, even to the point where his Son conquers death by death. He uses the ultimate equalizer to show that He alone is God, and there is no other equal:

“DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.  “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:54-57)

Describing David

I’ve begin sermon prep for next Sunday; with Jeff in Phoenix, I’ll have the opportunity to preach again, and I’m pretty excited about it. The story: David and Goliath.

In my study yesterday, I got stuck on some contextual reading in 1 Samuel 16.  After his disobedience and the annointing of David by Samuel, King Saul is tormented by an evil spirit, and he seeks someone to play music for him to soothe his mind. An unnamed servant of the King tells him about David, and he describes David like this:

“Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” (1 Sam 16:18)

…but can he cook?

Seriously, the renaissance man typography is in full effect with David.  He’s a musician, he’s a warrior, he’s articulate, wise, and fun to be around. And most interestingly, this person sees David as one who the LORD is with.

And so this shepherd becomes a musician in the court of the King.

Just goes to show that leadership begins with character, not position.

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