In this era where wars and rumours of war are commonplace, it is so easy to get sidetracked with the threats and reality of armed conflict. Today’s Holy Nougat challenges the assumption that superior weaponry is a guarantee of victory.
Psalms 33:16-17 NIV
[16] No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
[17] A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
None is saved, None can save
On the surface, one can get carried away by the thought that kings and kingdoms are vulnerable to other more powerful nations. We see it live, in real time playing out across the globe, where conflicts and potential conflicts threaten the lives and livelihood of all, including children and innocent civilians.
When we take that perspective, it is likely that we fail to factor in the King of the Victory, the Lord of Hosts, the Lord mighty in battle. For we know that YHWH is a game changer. As Creator, YHWH can choose to undo, or alleviate the mess that we have made in creation.
Self-Check
To what extent have we forgotten to include YHWH at the beginning of a potentially incendiary situation? Have we then asked YHWH why things failed to go in our favour?
Application
Elsewhere in the Bible, in Zechariah 4, God reminded the people that it is God’s Spirit that moves mountains, not their own brute strength. This reminder corroborates our Nougat that asserts that superior weaponry does not always win a war. And Israel would have known that based on the Exodus and the battle with Goliath.
Before being recognized as warrior king, David was a shepherd sent with lunch for his brothers. They were among the warriors trying to defend the Israelites against the Philistines. In the natural, and for several days of taunting, the battle was stacked against Israel. The Philistines had Goliath. Just the sight of him struck terror in the hearts of the Philistine’s enemies.
Goliath’s name has several possible meanings: exile-captivity, uncovered/revelation, splendour. As a giant, Goliath represented all those in macro quantities. Despite having their own king, Israel knew that they would become captives, their lack of military prowess lay bare for Goliath and his minions to see, and the splendour of the Philistine’s war machinery clearly intimidated their enemies.
But Goliath was no match for David’s faith.
You see, David saw in Goliath a target that God couldn’t miss. He was not worried about what Goliath represented. In that epic battle, David reminded Israel to whom they belonged.
Knowing he was God’s beloved friend put David in the advantage. (That’s what his name means). His siblings might have had limited confidence in him, his father might have forgotten him from time to time, but David had the calm assurance that his God, YHWH Sabaoth would deliver (see more in 1 Samuel 17).
It is likely that this psalm was written by David, or after Goliath was defeated. The Israelites knew what I just rehearsed with us all. They had met the King of Glory, the Lord, mighty in battle. They knew what God was capable of, regardless of the size and might of an enemy’s military. The question is, do we?
Point to Ponder
Let us reread 1 Samuel 17, taking time to note how decisively the battle was settled. Also recall the battle that took place after Y’shua’s death, that ended with His resurrection. Do we believe in the might of those who wage wars today, or God’s might?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
