In the Gospel reading today from Mark 3, Jesus has another run-in with the Pharisees about the sabbath. Jesus asks them, “Is it lawful to do good ont he sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” He then cures a man with a withered hand. Another reminder that the genuine, pressing needs of people must take precedence over the rules.
The first reading today is the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. It is a story that most people at least know about. David, a young boy, volunteers to fight Goliath, a giant Philistine who mows down everyone who comes against him. When young David approaches, the Philistine laughs at him and mocks David and his God. David tells him, “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand.” David fells the giant and cuts off his head.
Do you have a Goliath in your life? Something that always seems to get the best of you? Perhaps it is anger, jealousy, lust, resentment, drugs, alcohol – the list is endless. I think we all do. You need to know that your Goliath CAN be defeated. All we must do is follow the example of David and go into the battle knowing that the Lord will emerge victorious, if we let Him. If David had taken on Goliath without the confidence of knowing that God was with him, he would have been toast. So it is with us when we take on our Goliath. So go after your Goliath today confident and unafraid! God’s got your back, my friend!
Father, give us the courage to defeat the Goliath in our lives. We know we can only do that through your power. Fill us with confidence today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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