Millions of people would be familiar with the story of David
and Goliath. When an individual, or group, triumphs over a much larger
adversary, or adversaries, it is often linked to David’s magnificent victory
over the giant warrior, Goliath.
The Philistine army and the Israelite army were drawn up in
battle array. The Philistine warrior Goliath presented himself before the
Israelite army morning and evening for forty days. This giant of a man, who stood
three metres tall, issued a challenge. If Israel would provide a man to fight
him and kill him then the Philistines would become Israel’s servants. If
Goliath killed the Israelite warrior then the Israelites would become servants
of the Philistines.
So the challenge went out daily for forty days.
The Israelites were terrified of the Philistine giant. On
the fortieth day David arrives in the Israelite camp; hears the challenge and
offers to fight the giant, Goliath.
Goliath confidently appeared each day and watched the fear
and terror on the faces of the Israelites. The Israelites knew that they were
no match for Goliath in battle; the sure result would be death.
David on the other hand had an unswerving faith in God and
prevailed over Goliath with a sling and stone. Then he killed the giant with
Goliath’s own sword.
Goliath tested the faith of the Israelites for forty days;
little realising that he himself would be vanquished on the fortieth day.
How does this story apply in our modern world?
Goliath depicts Satan, the Devil. Goliath was completely in
control of the battle confrontation until the Israelite saviour, David arrived
on the scene.
David depicts the Lord Jesus Christ as the victorious
Saviour.
Hebrews 2:14, 15, “(14)
Inasmuch as the children have partaken of flesh and blood. He himself shared in
the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death,
that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all
their lifetime subject to bondage.”
What is mankind’s greatest fear? The answer is the fear of
death!
Satan has the power of death, but Jesus Christ has taken
away this power of Satan’s for all those who receive Him as their Lord and
Saviour and have their sins forgiven.
If a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ dies, their
spirit and soul will “...be absent from
the body and... present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8). They will
be in the resurrection of life (John 5:29) and spend eternity in Heaven
with God.
However, if a person dies in their sins, the opposite is
true. Their spirit and soul will go to Hell. They will be in the resurrection
of condemnation (John 5:29). They will be at the Great White Throne
judgement. They will be judged in their sins and will be cast into the Lake of
Fire.
Do you want to be one of those who are released from the
fear of death; and not subject to Satan’s bondage?
Acts 16:31, “...Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved...”
Jon Peasey
Words of Life blog www.jrpeasey.blogspot
[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless
otherwise noted]
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