| by Hadyn OlsenRecently, after reading the account of this historicmeeting between David and Goliath, I was struck by thesignificance of it's message concerning the end timeperiod that we are entering into.Far more than a children's story, this account speaksof the collision of two kingdoms. The kingdom of Godand the kingdom of Satan.There are a number of times in the Scriptures that wewitness such a dramatic encounter between these twokingdoms. We may think of the time of Moses and theexodus from Egypt, the plagues and the Red Sea. Wemay think of Joshua and Jericho - or Elijah on Mt.Carmel. Then of course there is the Lord Jesus Himselfand the many occasions of His demonstrating thekingdom.In all these events we see something of the nature ofthese two opposite kingdoms, and of the superiority ofGod's kingdom over Satan's. We may also learnsomething concerning our own lives and of the conflictwe face from day to day. Each of these historic eventsmay teach us of the things God wants us to know andthe victory He wants us to share.We are coming to a time when we shall witness anothergreat collison between God's kingdom and Satan's. Nodoubt it shall be as great, if not greater than all theothers that have preceded it. And it shall be a timewhen once again, God displays His all-surpassinggreatness and dominion over Satan.To this end our spirit's cry, 'Come Lord Jesus'.As we read in 1 Sam. 17 of the battle between Davidand Goliath we can first of all see that there are threeprincipal characters which may represent three differentpeoples.Firstly there is Goliath and the Philistines. Theyrepresent the world, or more specifically unredeemed,rebellious man. There is something about them whichmay be encompassed by the term, 'The spirit of thisage'.There they stand, full of defiance and mockery.Wilfully and arrogantly railing accusations upon Godand His people. They represent man, in the fullness ofself power and self glory.This is the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good andEvil come to maturity. The Pride of Life that looksdown upon God from it's own lofty height. The fullnessof man which seeks to be 'as God' and even to destroyall that is of God in his quest to have dominion of theearth.We may notice in the description of Goliath that thereis reference to the number six. The number of man. Hewas six cubits in height, he had six pieces of armour,and his spearhead weighed six hundred shekels.We could say that he represents everything that theterm 'anti-christ' may speak of, as he stands theremocking all that is of God and calling God's people intobattle.As we look out out upon the world today we can seeGoliath readying himself again. We can hear thechallenges ringing out saying, 'Where is your God' andthe accusations pouring forth to belittle the church andcall her to war. This has always been the very essenceof that antichrist spirit.The second character in this story is King Saul and hisarmy. This group represent the people of God, butthey are the people of God under the dominion of theflesh.They are a defeated company. They stand there facingGoliath, fearful, intimidated and without anointing orstrength from God.We may ask, 'Why is this?.. How can it be?'How can the people of God find themselves in this kindof a situation and such a condition? The answer is, thatalthough they are the people of God they are still ruledand controlled by the spirit of this world. They areunder the dominion of King Saul - the flesh.Let us take a look at them.They stand there in all their wordly armour. They arefitted out with everything that the world counts forsomething. They have their horses and chariots andweapons of flesh - and of course they have their kingwho stands so tall above the rest. They look just likeall the other nations in so many ways.I cannot help wondering how many of our denominationsand church organisations are just like the armies of Saul.They are full of the ways of the world and their strengthcomes from money, organisation, and the power of the flesh.We see in them the same spirit of this world that promotesitself with gimmicks, sales techniques and all manner ofhuman ability.There is also another characteristic that is common tothe Saul church. That is, disobedience to the word ofthe Lord.King Saul cared more for the outward appearances ofsuccess and power than for obedience to God's word.He would obey God as long as it suited him and as longas it didn't threaten his own ambitions and desires tobe successful in the eyes of the people.It is the same today in the denominations. Successpower and outward appearances are the most importantconsiderations. God's will and His purposes are oftencompromised for the sake of human interest and humantraditions.For that reason they will stand alone on that day thatGoliath confronts them. They will discover that Goliathis far stronger in terms of this world than they arethemselves, and they will realise that they are no matchfor him.How frightening it will be on that day... although todaythey are so full of their own strength and hypnotisedby their own praises and positive confessions.Thank God there is a third group in this story. It isthe group that is characterised by David.Yes, David was one of the people of God. But hewasn't a part of Saul's army. In the same way todaythere is a third group. Tbey are scattered around. Theyhave no special organisation or place to call their own.Yet they have two distinguishing characteristics that setthem apart;They have a heart after God and... they are not of KingSaul.This David company, like David of old, is small,insignificant, unimpressive and unimportant. Yet God'shand is upon them.David was out in the wilderness tending his sheep whenthe call came to enter into the battle lines. He wasdoing that which God has placed in his care - eventhough it was insignificant and outwardly of littleimportance.In the same way today there are those that ask, 'Whatare you doing for God? What has come of your leavingthe system?' They measure everything by outwardconsiderations and spend their lives racing around,organising great things for God, yet in the endaccomplishing little.David knew nothing of Saul's ways. He hadn't been inany of Saul's training schools. He didn't know how toeven polish his armour let alone wear it into battle. AllDavid knew, he had learned out there amongst theordinary circumstances of daily life. He had learned thesimple things of truth, love and faithfulness. He hadlearned how to walk with God each day.But this is God's way. He always takes the lowlythings, the foolish things, and the things that are not,to bring to nothing the things that are.Likewise God is preparing a people today. They arenothing now. Some have left denominations, some arestill amongst them wondering why it is that they nolonger feel a part of it all any more. They can nolonger get excited by the latest seminar or out-reach.Instead they sigh and groan at the lack of God'spresence in the church, and they are grieved by theway human power has filled the gap.When David arrived on the scene, he had noorganisation backing him. There were no credentials orany such thing. There was only the anointing. Godknew where He wanted David to be. God broughtthings together as He always does.... in the fullness oftime.David could stand before Goliath because God was withhim. Nothing more and nothing less. His spirit wasstirred against this monster David was not afraid. Heknew that there was one far greater who was standingwith him.When David spoke to Goliath to challenge him, it wasnot so much David speaking as God Himself speaking.When David took the stone and placed it in his sling,again it was God choosing and preparing.When David sent his stone flying toward it's mark.. itwas God guiding it to just the right place.Such is the way with all true ministry. It is God in mandoing the work and bringing forth the fruit.There are many today who are trying to achieve greatthings for God. They are using all of this world'sresources to try and do it. Yet God is not doing it.They imagine that human effort is the key to divinefruitfulness. They have missed God's way completely.God desires a people who are dead to man's ways andman's methods as far as kingdom work is concerned.He is preparing a people who will wait for Him, andmove as He moves them, and who will work accordingto His power that works in them mightily.It may take Him a long time to get a man or woman tothat place... yet God has time.That day is coming when that great conflict will arrive.Which company will we be a part of? Will it beGoliath's? or King Saul's?... or will it be David's?It may be hard to say right now, but the day willdeclare it. Nothing is surer... That day will declare it...For then we shall find ourselves in the place that ourhearts have chosen.Let us call upon the Lord today, while it is stilltoday... asking Him to change our hearts and take usinto that David company. May we seek to learn to walkwith God and be faithful unto all that He may call us todo. May we learn the ways of humility and be satisfiedwith simply living before Him each day. May we also becareful to remain free from the ways of King Saul.Praise God for His all-surpassing greatness and glory.-Hadyn Olsen, Lake Rotoma, New Zealand.--YES! - You have permission to post these emails to friends or other groups, boards, etc - unless there is a Copyright notice above which says differently geraldabreu.infoNearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.Abraham LincolnThere are two ways to enslave a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt. |