Wednesday 7 May 2008

Against all Odds


There was silence in the ranks as the soldiers watched the spectacle. Not one of them would swap their places with the one they were watching walk out onto the dusty field. Single combat, champion verses champion, but some how the odds looked greatly stacked in favour of the enemy.

On the other side they were looking at a giant of a man nine and a half feet tall. He was incredibly powerful and wore remarkable armour. His opponent was just about as surprising to look at. He was merely a boy, David the brother of Eliab and Aminadab. He was just a shepherd and there he was walking to, what appeared to be, his certain death.

As the soldiers watched they saw David stoop down an pick up some stones. One of these he put into his sling. He swung it around his head, letting go of it the stone flew through the air and struck the giant on the forehead and thus the shepherd boy defeated the giant of the Philistines.

If we were to look upon this scene we too would be filled with wonder at just how a young boy could defeat the champion of the Philistine army. “No way” we would say, “he just could not do it!” and we would be right. David called out to the Philistine, “that all this assembly may know that 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 Samuel 17:47. David did not win this battle with his strength, he won it by the strength of God.

There are many times when the troubles of this life loom over us and we feel that we can’t cope. We don’t need to feel orphans in this, everyone feels this way from time to time. But what we need to realise is that we don’t need to do it all. We have someone who is on our side, someone who is willing to help us. All we need to do is ask.

The apostle Paul was one who had a lot to deal with in his life, from stonings to prisons all the way through to shipwrecks. Yes, in many ways he had a hard life, but still he was able to write, “ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. Just like Paul in his day and David in his, we too can rely on the strength that God supplies us. All we have to do is ask.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.

We need to draw of the strength that comes from God. We too can win against all odds.

No comments: