The underdog ( 2 ) ( 1 Samuel 17 v 32 - 50 )

 So we continue ,Saul  and his army are scared out their wits, terrified, should they have been?, well let us  not be to hard on them. of course they should not have, for Almighty God was with them ,when  fear rules faith goes. In spite of this God would not forsake them, nor will he forsake you, and me when we copy the Israelites, for God is never caught unawares, he had a plan, he was going to use a young man, that young man's name was David. God would get the glory, let us remember to give God the glory at all time ,in the big things, in all things. David came  into the Israeli camp and was brought before Saul, and told him he would fight the giant ,and so he went  forth, not clad in armour, or with a large sword, and stood before the giant. The giant looked at him in amazement and I am sure the Philistine army did the same, and maybe they thought ,this is a cert, we are going  to win. It seemed  impossible for this young man to slay their champion. But you know something, he did, and Israel got the victory , and God got the glory. 

The underdog ( 1 ) 1 Samuel 17.

 Here is some news , well if you are from Northern Ireland, yes it is not bad news from my little country. The Northern Ireland women's soccer team have qualified for a  major women's tournament, one of the reasons  I mention this, is because I heard the manager of the team being interviewed before the qualifying match that it was unlikely his team could win, as none were professionals. I do not know if the manager is a Christian, but in his answer he reminded the interviewer about David  and Goliath, and how the impossible happened. Think of that story in 1 Samuel 17,on one hill was the Philistine army, and  the Israelites were on the other .It was a stand off, but then something happened, a massive man came forth, clothed as warrior , and holding an enormous spear. He challenged the Israelites to send out their champion, to  fight him, and if he won, the Israelites would rule over the Philistines, and vice versa. Well Saul and al the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. We will continue this next time

Not me, Him. ( Ephesians 2 v 8 - 9 )

 Witnessing to a lady recently, when I asked her , was she a Christian, she spoke of the good things she did, I sincerely commended for that, and encouraged her to continue to doing that. I think it is right to acknowledge the good people do, there are Muslins who do good, also Hindus as well, likewise there are atheist who do good.  I have mentioned this at times, it is not the good things we do that are a problem, it is the sins we commit ,they are the problem. What  makes one a Christian is not the good we do ,but what  Christ has done on the cross ,He dealt with what no one else could do, sin, He was ,and is Gods answer, that would enable us to have our sins forgiven. No matter what good works we may do, all they are, commendable though they  be,  are simply good works. They are not our ticket to heaven, they will not gain us acceptance with a Holy God .If  we are hoping that they will stand us in good  stead with God ,you are very , very, mistaken. I have assurance of eternal life, because of Jesus, a  man called Horatius Bonar wrote the following.

                                                  Upon a life I did not live,

                                                  Upon  a death I did not die;

                                                  Another's life, another's death,

                                                  I stake my whole eternity.

She opened the box. ( Romans 5 v 13 )

 If  my memory serves me right, there was a quiz program on TV,  when  the contestants who had done well, were asked the question,' will you open the box or take the money'. There is a Greek legend about about a girl  called Pandora, who done something she shouldn't have ,she opened what now is called ,'Pandora's Box', in doing  so ,she released all the evil in the world. It reminds me of another story, not a myth, but something that really happened, when two people disobeyed God, and in that single act, they released into the world ,sin, with all its its dreadful consequences for mankind. We read, ' When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned' (Rom 5 v12 ) Yes its no myth ,it  is all to obvious, yes ,it is really bad news ,but let's move on, returning to Pandora's box, it tells how she tried to shut the box, and managed to stop one thing escaping,' HOPE'. As we look at the world with all it's evil, when we look at the power of death, we may ask in despair ,what hope have we?. There is a wonderful  answer, for God is called  the God of hope ( Rom 15 v 13),and He has provided hope, in the person of His Son  Jesus, why don't you trust Him and then you would have a sure and certain hope.

Bottle of tears. ( Exodus 2 v 23 - 25 )

 In Psalm 56  and  v 8 ,we read of  David in his destress crying unto God, 'You keep track of all my sorrows, You  have collected all my tears in your bottle, You have recorded each one in your book'. Tear bottles have been found in Egypt and in Rome , tears would be collected by a friend at times of sorrow. Barnes writing about this says,' All the tears that we shed  are remembered by God, the genuine tears shed, God will not forget, God will not forget the suffering of his people. David was suffering and in great distress, it  is not wrong to weep ,David wept, our Saviour wept, David desired that God would respond to his tears of supplication.  Consider how an earthly parent responds to the tears being shed by their child, how much more will our loving heavenly respond to our tears. So it was ,that David had confidence that God would deliver him, 'When I cry unto thee, then shall my enemies turn back; this I know; for God is for me'.

                                               I waited patiently  for the Lord;

                                               he inclined to me and heard my cry.

                                                             Psalm 40 v1 .

What do you do in trouble? ( Psalm 56 )

 Our bodies are  wonderfully made, is in it strange that we cry when we are emotionally upset, why?, in Psalm 56 v 8 we read ,'You keep track of all my sorrows, You have collected  all my tears in your bottle, You have recorded  each one in your book'. David who wrote the Psalm was experiencing a time of great  trial. In the Psalm he speaks of being afraid, his enemies are watching his every move ,seeking  an opportunity to destroy him, Yes even great brave people feel fear, yes even David the giant killer, he did not ignore the reality, but his thoughts did not dwell there ,and he declares to God,' I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU'. When your heart is pounding with fear, look up to Him ,the one who can deliver you .It is Albert Barnes commenting on these words ,wrote..

                                    It is a good maxim with which to go into a world of danger;

                                         a good maxim to go to sea with;

                                         a good maxim  in a storm;

                                         a good maxim when we are sick;

                                         a good maxim when on danger on the land;

                                         a good maxim when we think of death and judgement.

                                                    ''I  WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU''

                                        

Only One. ( Exodus 20 v 2 - 5 )

In the ancient world  countries were filled with the worship of many gods, the list is endless, in Greece gods there were in plenty ,but even there, some of the great thinkers were beginning to see beyond their flawed gods.  Our arch enemy  Satan is called a god, in 2 Corinthians 4 v 4 ,we read,' The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers'.  Charles Hodge writes,' The word god  may be used figuratively as well as literally. 'We may say that money is the god of  this world, or as Paul said of certain men. 'their belly is their god ', but none of these things are in essence God. Satan  who is called a god of this world, because , as Hodge points, because of  the power which he exercises over the men of  the world, and because of the servile obedience they  render to him'. In Isaiah 43 v 10 we read,'' But  you are my witnesses ,O Israel!'' says the Lord, you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me , and understand that I alone am God. There is no other god, there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord, and there  is no other Saviour'  It is interesting to note  that there is only one God, and one Saviour'. That one true God manifested Himself as a saviour in the person of Jesus Christ.

                                                     Who is He on yonder tree

                                                     Dies in shame and agony?

                                               ' Tis the Lord! O, wondrous story !

                                                ' Tis the Lord , the King of glory!

                                                  At His feet we humbly fall-

                                                  Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

                                                      ( Words by  B. R. Hanby )