Have you ever questioned if you have the strength to stand up in the face of adversity? This was the question a preacher posed to his congregation in a time of darkness and turmoil when their faith and courage were being tested. He wondered if those who considered themselves men of God would have the metal to defend their faith, their people, their nation. He knew that some may falter, their faith waver, but he also held a firm belief that the true shepherds among them would rise to the occasion guiding their flock, embodying the wisdom and valor of biblical figures like King David. The Bible recounts the story of David, a man after God's own heart, a leader who with unflinching courage stood up for his people, a shepherd boy who faced the giant Goliath armed with nothing but a sling and his unwavering faith in the Lord. His trust in God's plan gave him the strength to face his enemies, to bring honor to his nation. It's this same faith, this same courage that the preacher sought to instill in his congregation. He reminded them of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 28, do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. It was a call to faith, a call to courage, a reminder that their faith should not be rooted in fear of earthly consequences, but in trust in the almighty.
In the face of adversity, it can be easy to dismiss those who display unconventional courage. Some might have called David mad or misguided, but God often chooses the unlikely to accomplish great things. He saw in David, not a madman, but a wise and faithful servant, a shepherd destined to lead his people. Like David, we too are called to be shepherds leading our flock with courage and conviction. The preacher's words echoed in the hearts of his congregation, a call to courage, a call to faith, a call to be the shepherds their communities need, a call to stand up in the face of adversity, just like King David. What does it mean to have unwavering faith, you may ask. The answer lies within the compelling story of King David, a figure of immense courage and faith, as depicted in the Bible. David a humble shepherd boy was chosen by God to become a great King. Despite being small in stature and young in age, David was not deterred by the colossal Goliath, a warrior who had terrorized the Israelites. David's faith in God was so profound, so unwavering that he faced Goliath armed with just a sling and five smooth stones.
This is the very essence of unwavering faith, a complete and utter trust in God's plan. Even when the odds seem insurmountable, David's faith was not rooted in his own abilities, but in the power and wisdom of God. He declared to Goliath, you come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord almighty. And so with a single stone from his sling, David felled the mighty Goliath. This miraculous victory was a testament to David's faith. He trusted in God's plan and God delivered him from his enemy. David's unwavering faith continued to be a guiding force throughout his life. Even when faced with trials and tribulations, David remained steadfast in his trust in God. He penned the 23rd Psalm, a beautiful expression of his faith stating, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. David's faith was not a fleeting sentiment, but a deep rooted conviction that guided his every action. It gave him the strength to lead his people with wisdom and courage, to stand tall in the face of adversity and to trust in the Lord's plan, no matter what. In the face of great adversity, David trusted in the Lord, demonstrating a faith that we should all aspire to. His life serves as a powerful reminder that with unwavering faith in God, we too can overcome our Goliaths and step into the destiny that God has planned for us. Fear not those who can harm the body, but cannot touch the soul. These words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 1028 serve as an important reminder of where our true faith should be rooted. It's easy to fear the tangible, the physical dangers that we can see and feel. But the teachings of Jesus remind us that our faith should not be governed by these earthly fears, but rather by our trust in God, our divine shepherd. Imagine a shepherd guiding his flock through a valley. The path is treacherous, fraught with wolves and the threat of a storm. The sheep instinctively might fear the wolves. (Watch video for more)
Comments