“So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.” (1 Samuel 17:50)
One of the most influential Christians in my life is an attorney with whom I once worked.
When we were in Atlanta on a business trip in the late 1980’s, I took him to a favorite restaurant of mine. I was not saved at the time. In fact, salvation would not come my way for another two years.
We both ordered steaks. I had already ordered a glass of wine prior to dinner and asked him if he cared for wine or a cocktail.
“You know,” he said, “I can’t tell you how long it has been since I’ve had a glass of wine. It looks great, but no thanks.”
I knew him well enough to know that he was struggling with his Christian values, but I saw nothing wrong with an occasional glass of wine. “Oh come on,” I said, “We’re 200 miles from home. No one will ever know. Order a glass of wine and relax.”
He gave the matter of moment of reflection and then politely said, “No, I better not.”
The Bible says, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:21) My friend knew that it really didn’t matter how far away from home he might have been. He could never escape the reach of God, especially if his indulgence might in any way affect my chance for eternal life.
I will never forget that night. It may seem small to you, but I can’t tell you how much I admired his commitment to be obedient to God’s Word. When no one else was watching, he showed his love for God and for me through a simple act of obedience.
All Christians are going to confront situations just like the one my friend faced. They often seem small and uneventful, but later can have Goliath-like impacts on the lives of other believers, and unbelievers, too.
When David faced Goliath, he knew he was facing a giant of a problem. The odds were insurmountable, which is why Saul said to him, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33)
Just like my friend, David never wavered from his faith in the difference that the Lord could make in any situation. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine,” he told Saul. (1 Samuel 17:37) He even told Goliath, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” (1 Samuel 17:46)
We may not always recognize the Goliath’s in our lives, but we can rely upon the fact that they will show up. We can also rely upon God’s promise the he will never forsake us in any problem that we face, big or small. Remember his Word, “The righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” (Job 17:9)
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