Unlikely Likeness

Based on 1 Samuel 16-18, Psalm 55

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

In the face of what we may face in our daily lives, nothing is too big for God to handle. These next few chapters emphasize the fact that it is not about what we see before us, but the God who fights for us. The Lord will sustain us, and the righteous will not be moved. Even if the giant is great, or even if we are small, our God never changes and is all-powerful! We may judge ourselves as unfit for our job or our calling. We may have an unlikely likeness. But just remember-the strength we have-and the strength of our enemies-pales in comparison to God's, and His strength can be manifest through us if we stand for Truth!

"And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointedisbefore him.7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: forthe LORD seethnot as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:6-7

When God previously spoke to Samuel to make Saul king over Israel, Samuel saw that Saul had the physique of a king. He was exactly what Israel was looking for. Now, Samuel found himself looking for similar qualities in the sons of Jesse. But God had other plans! This new king would look a little different. In fact, he was still a youth! God doesn't look on the outward, He looks on the inward...and David's heart was bigger and stronger than the rest in terms of his love for God! He would grow to be one of the greatest kings and servants of The Lord!

"And he sent, and brought him in. Now hewasruddy,andwithal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to." 1 Samuel 16:12

David still had a beautiful countenance, but his beauty was probably more of an innocence than a physical strength. He was a lively shepherd boy, and his drive drove his sheep out of harm's way because he trusted in God! Although he came from a lowly place in the field, he had the most kingly quality. It wasn't in anything he had physically. His devotion to God and determination for victory was limitless!

"And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose heightwassix cubits and a span.5Andhe hadan helmet of brass upon his head, and hewasarmed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coatwasfive thousand shekels of brass."1 Samuel 17:4-5

Again, we have a detailed description of a physical appearance. The list goes on, but above are documented just a few of the "scary" attributes of Goliath. Our human reasoning automatically says, "That's not good!" But David's reasoning says "God is good!" We are reading about what Goliath looked like, but David actually saw these things before him, yet still he trusted God. What faith!

"And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thouart buta youth, and he a man of war from his youth." 1 Samuel 17:33

Not only did king Saul speak a negative report of David's perceived inability to go against Goliath, he said that when Goliath was David's age, he was already training for battle. David was not only deemed too young to fight, but too inexperienced. Funny thing is, David WAS training for battle ever since his youth-and he did so by growing in The Lord! He WAS preparing for whatever challenge would be ahead of him because he learned the things of God. He was actually MORE prepared than Goliath-and that's because of the spiritual weights he lifted, not the physical ones!

"And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul." 1 Samuel 18:12

Finally, David was feared...because he feared God! He was no longer laughed at for his size. David was taken seriously by Saul because The Lord was with him. Not because of his size, strength or stature. David was seen as the giant now because of the giant God He served, trusted and had faith in! That quality is all we need to be victorious in this life! Next time you feel ill-equipped for the role you have or the season of life you are in, just remember...the outcome is less reliant on what we can see, and more reliant on what we can't. GOD'S GOT THIS!!!