“Uncovered”

Uncovered

What an amazing time to know the Lord. I have always loved the shift, the change of winds that occur when a new season is coming around. The supernatural presence of God is filling hearts that are receptive.

He is, as He always has, using the willing to confirm the Gospel with signs and wonders. It is how the church was built and how it’s construction will continue. People are tired of talking about it, and they are experiencing it. The amazing, powerful, presence of God.

I want to share today a story that is very familiar to anyone who has been in church or around Christians any length of time.

The story of David and Goliath is very well known.

1 Samuel 17:1-11 NASB

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

2 Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines.

3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.

4 Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.

6 He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.

7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him.

8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.

9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.”

10 Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.”

11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

This gives us a picture of a very formidable and dedicated enemy. Jewish history says this taunt by Goliath had probably occurred twice daily for 40 days.

I must acknowledge something that is notably missing from this picture. In these Biblical times the Ark of the Covenant represented the presence of God. Joshua marched behind it around Jericho, and it went before the children of Israel under Moses. Moses said this of the Ark.

Numbers 10:35-36 NASB

35 Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, “Rise up, O L ORD ! And let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You.”

36 When it came to rest, he said, “Return, O L ORD , To the myriad thousands of Israel.”

The ark was in the house of Abinadab and his son Eleazer an estimated 20-30 miles away. Saul did not follow the Ark.

Back to Goliath. The name Goliath means, splendor but it comes from a very interesting root word. Goliath is translated from the Hebrew root word, “Gaw-law’” which means, “to strip, to reveal, to uncover, and to disclose.”

The awesome presence of this formidable warrior had striped Saul and his followers of their faith in God. He had revealed, uncovered, and disclosed their fear.

How many have had a Goliath in your life. Something that pulled back the facade and exposed your weakness, failure, or vulnerability?

David’s father had sent him with some goods to check on his brothers.

1 Samuel 17:22-23 NASB

22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered in order to greet his brothers.

23 As he was talking with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the army of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.

The men fled again and when they reached a safe place they began to tell of the great rewards that the king would give the person who killed this Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:26 NASB

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?”

His words trickled down to Saul and David said this.

1 Samuel 17:32 NASB

David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

Saul questioned his ability and David shared the victories that God had already granted Him and replied this way.

1 Samuel 17:36-37 NASB

36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”

37 And David said, “The L ORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the L ORD be with you.”

I Samuel 17:40 NASB

He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.

The rest of the story you know. David won.

Goliath revealed fear in Saul and his armies.

To David he revealed covenant.

Goliaths will come our way from time to time in our life. They come to peel back, reveal, uncover or disclose something that needs attention.

Remember the first passage I read? First part.

“ Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah”

David was from the tribe of Judah. This speaks of covenant and inheritance.

Goliath was standing on David’s front yard. God had given it to Him and His family.

He was not only defending the armies of God, He was defending His covenant, and his inheritance with God.

Would that we would stand against the enemy on the grounds of our inheritance.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. “In His Name”

Have a great day and weekend. Blessings to you all.