08/18/2023 – Not by the Sword, But by the Spirit
1 Samuel 21: 9 “The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” 10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. 13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard”
You may not identify with David when he bravely faced the giant. But all of us can identify with this David. He was afraid. The sword of Goliath would not help him. He was humiliated to the point of faking madness.
In the same way, your victory will not come from your own accomplishments. All your skill, power and “good deeds” contribute nothing to your salvation. The key to David’s greatest victory, to the greatest accomplishment in the Old Testament, was his faithful endurance. Afraid, tired, frustrated, depressed David kept praising God. His most powerful weapon was not his sling, nor the sword of Goliath. It was his harp. David’s praise is constant, at all times. With his praise he quieted the demons in king Saul, and he established the throne on which Christ will reign.
By comparison, Goliath was easy. The greatest accomplishment in the Old Covenant, in my view, is the establishment of the throne of David. I say this because on that throne Christ will reign.
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? People achieve amazing things. You may have accomplishments in your past or in your future that will be cause for great joy. But I cannot think of a greater accomplishment than establishing the kingdom of Christ in your life and your inheritance- those people God has placed under your influence.