This morning, I Samuel 17 and 18 tells the story of David and Goliath. It is important to note that this correlates with one of the most unusual events in my lifetime, "COVID19," also known as "the Coronavirus." A few weeks before and since the birth of my beautiful granddaughter on March 23, we have been "self-quarantined." I never went anywhere much anyway but I now have a "travel letter" in case I'm stopped going to and from work and there is a "shelter in place" nationwide to stay at home to stop the spread of this plague!
Many deaths, nationwide, almost 17,000, have resulted from this pestilence. But the greatest tragedy, in my mind, is separation of family's and loved ones. Fortunately, because He said, "nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do," (Gen 11.6) we have technology that allows for face to face viewing as well as, of course, the telephone.
To add a bit of wisdom for this horrific time, the story of David and Goliath seems right on target. This pestilence could indeed be described as "Goliath." It has all but stopped our economy in its tracks. Fear has gripped the hearts of unbelievers and in some cases, believers. We cannot see an end but know it is there.
When David came upon the scene in the book of I Samuel 17, there was a "Giant" who "defied the armies of Israel." (I Sam 17.10)
Because this humble, sincere, honest shepherd boy had learned of things of the Lord at his father's feet and spent time with the Lord while tending the sheep, he had wisdom beyond his years for the "giant" he saw. He had also killed a lion and a bear on behalf of the sheep. He was mocked of his brothers, King Saul and the Giant Goliath. But the youngest son and brother had learned a thing or two while tending the sheep that the seasoned warriors had not; he said, "...thou (the giant) comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord...whom thou hast defied." In other words, though young, "this wasn't his first 'rodeo.'"
So, this blogger/believer would note that as fearful and scary as our current "giant/COVID19" is, we march on in the "name of the Lord." We will pick up "five smooth stones," (I Sam 17.40) and demonstrate the Lord's "grace" (the symbolic/spiritual meaning of the number five) during this time. However, we only need "one stone" (I Sam 17.49) to slay this "COVID 19." One, in the bible symbolizes God, the Bible and pure power, The number one is also associated with the connection of God and His Son, Jesus, with His one-of-a-kind sacrifice and kindness. It's HIS power, the One and Only Sovereign Lord that fights our battles, that goes before, stands with and comes behind us in these fearful times. (Col 1.16, I Chr 29.11, Exo 14.14, Ps 28.7, Eph 1.19, 21 and so many more...)
So, dear believer, in the words of the Lord's servant, Moses, at a frightening, anxious time,
"stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."
(Exo 14.13)
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