Take a Stand

1 Samuel 17:26 –“And David spake to the men that stood by him . . . who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

In the midst of a tough battle in World War II, General George Patton, one of the greatest military leaders of all time, said about battle, "God, I love it!" When faced with the same circumstances, the shepherd boy David said, "God, I love you!"  After this, he became a great warrior, yet his love for God never faded.

As a youth, he was only visiting the battlefield.  He heard the Philistine giant Goliath spewing his hateful, blasphemous epithets against the men of Israel and against their God, the one and only true God of heaven.  David became incensed that no one would stand up to the giant – after all their God was greater than any uncircumcised Philistine dog.  What was wrong with these cowardly troops?

His courageous speech was reported to the king, and he was summoned to appear before him.  David went humbly, yet confidently, and told the king that God was more powerful than the giant, and if no one else would take a stand for right, then he would.  Saul showed why Israel was so weak – he tried to equip David with armaments of this world – where David just depended on his faith in an all-powerful God.  Ephesians 6 tells us to arm ourselves with spiritual armaments, because the battle we fight is a spiritual warfare not a physical one – the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit (which is the Word of God). 

This spiritual armour will defeat the worldly enemies of the child of God.  David put off the armour of Saul, put on the armour of the Spirit and his shepherd’s sling, and went out to face the giant, who he told, “God will defeat you for me.”  And He did.  David stood for the right and God blessed him with victory.  He’ll do the same or each of us – if we’ll take a stand for right against this present world, God will give us resounding victories.

Take A Stand

The giant stood and blasphemed God

Full of contempt and hate.

But there was none who would take a stand

And defend their God so great.

But there was a lad within the crowd

Who pointed out their shame.

He slew the wretch with sling and stone,

All in the Saviour’s Name.

The devil does the same today –

He blasphemes God above.

And we sit back and let him rail

Without telling the Saviour’s love.

He carries the world to a burning hell,

And we must stop his plan,

And pluck those brands from within the fire,

And save the souls of man.

© 2006 Paul Stultz

Quote - "If he gives you the grace to make you believe, he will give you the grace to live a holy life afterward." - Charles Spurgeon

"Lord, Thank you for giving us the power of God in our lives. Help us to take a stand for what's right.  Help us to live holy lives for you. Amen."