During Trials David Fixes His Eyes on the Lord: Will You Follow His Gaze?

From the stories of the disciples, Moses, Job and Jeremiah we have gained ideas on how to create order out of chaos in our hearts. Now we move to the battle within our minds.

For centuries, conflicts persisted between the Israelites and the Philistines, spanning the time of Joshua, the Judges, and extending into the era of the Israelite Kings. Saul, Israel’s first king, frequently faced the Philistines. The Philistines are also mentioned in the book of Genesis.

David and Goliath, a color lithograph by  Osmar Schindler (c. 1888)

In Genesis 20, Abraham encounters the Philistines King, Abimelek.

In fear, Abraham pretends his wife Sarah is his sister because he believed “they will kill me because of my wife”(Genesis 20:11).

In fear, Isaac, Abraham's son, now pretends his wife Rebekah is his sister. This encounter was with a different Philistine ruler with the same name, Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar, "When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful" (Genesis 26:7).

From 1 Samuel 4 until David fights Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, there are 5 battles with the Philistines.

Finally, in 1 Samuel 17, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, “for forty days came forward every morning and evening and took his stand” (17:16).

He would shout to the ranks of Israel: “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (17:10).

“Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear…”(1 Samuel 17:24).

Let's repeat this response: "They fled in great fear." Sound familiar? Abraham...Isaac...and now the Israelites under Saul are all fearful of these Philistines.

We all want to hid inside behind our closed doors, close off our hearts, distract ourselves from the pain and pretend those Philistines don’t exist. It is easier to lie like Abraham and Isaac, or hide like the Israelites than to face the reality.

God reveals another way for us to confront our giants! Instead of focusing on our limitations, we can view them through the lens of what God can accomplish. We can find courage to face our losses, remain open to love once more, and invite a friend over, even in moments of tears.

Let’s take a look at David’s response.

“Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine;

your servant will go and fight him” (1 Samuel 17:32).

There is no fear here. David takes up his courage...

‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,

but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty,

the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands’” (1 Samuel 17:45).

David sees the same giant the Israelites see and believes in God's power.

David can't handle Goliath...BUT God can!

Even when faced with the same situation, sometimes what we need is a change in perspective. The heroes of the Bible do not "shrink back" from their circumstances.

Instead, "By Faith" they move forward (Hebrews 10-11).

"This is what the ancients were commended for" (Hebrews 11:2).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

 ^"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise"

(Philippians 4:8 NLT).

David focuses on God over and over again throughout his life and the giants fade away. Like Jeremiah, he uses hymns, songs and prayers to voice his concerns to God. Many of the Psalms you will find him sharing with the Lord, 

"...But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer" (Psalm 66:19).

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds" (Psalm 73:28).

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).

David constantly remembers God's faithfulness, fixes his eyes on Him and this changes his perspective. His Psalms start with praise, move to distress, petition for help and end with "But God..."

Friend, yes, life is very hard right now...But our God never fails!

"But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless" (Psalm 10:14).

By Faith Lord, we trust in You, we fix our eyes on You and we wait for Your help. Amen