An Overcoming Faith
Alfred Lambert. 1 Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield… It is impossible to read the above chapter without being more or less impressed by the simple trust of the shepherd youth in his God. It was intensely real: to him God was "a very present help in the time of trouble;" and it is difficult to say which was the stronger, his jealousy for the honour of the God of Israel, or his confidence in His ability to save. Let us notice a few of the features that characterised the faith of this young son of Jesse. I. IT WAS A FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD. We find these words, "the living God," many times in the Old Testament Scriptures. Joshua, referring to the sure destruction of his enemies, speaks thus: "Hereby ye shall know that the living God is amongst you" (Joshua 3:10). Jeremiah writes: "The Lord is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting King" (Jeremiah 10:10). "We trust in the living God," were Paul's words of encouragement to Timothy; whilst David sang with gladness: "The Lord liveth: blessed be my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted." Surely this shepherd lad had gripped the truth when, in the midst of the trembling army of Israel, he cried out of a full heart, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" II. IT WAS A FAITH THAT WAS TRIED. "Eliab's anger was kindled against David." The people, too, seemed to have caught the spirit of Eliab, for they answered him "after the former manner." If we would work the works of God, we shall surely have to encounter our Eliabs. May we meet them in the quiet, firm spirit, of this son of Jesse. III. IT WAS A FAITH STRENGTHENED BY PAST EXPERIENCE. IV. IT WAS A FAITH THAT WORKED BY MEANS. V. IT WAS A FAITH THAT NEVER WAVERED. VI. IT WAS A FAITH THAT TRIUMPHED GLORIOUSLY. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." (Alfred Lambert.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou 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 of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. WEB: Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.