It was quiet. Tooooo quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of banners flapping in the breeze and sandals on hard stony ground. A show down was coming. Some one would walk of the field of battle victorious amid a sea of applause and unrestrained cheering. The other would have his lifeless body cared off to be buried.
The silence was short lived as the undisputed champion bellowed out laughs of blatant ridicule followed by a stream of profanity and taunts. He was large and in charge and he knew it. He was waging psychological warfare on his skinny opponent. Attempting to break his resolve and send him cowering back into the ranks of the army from where he came. But the boy kept coming.
The Champion was named Goliath. He was a monster of a man standing nearly ten feet tall. he was the Champion of the Philistine Army. Goliath had challenged the Army of Israel to a contest. the two armies had been embroiled in a long conflict. So, Goliath called to the Israelis to send a champion from among them. The two would square off in a battle to the death. The winner would take the other as slaves. Under normal circumstances, that may have sounded like a reasonable proposition. But Goliath was a normal adversary. So, his challenge went unanswered for days.
Then a teen-aged Shepherd came to bring a care package from home to his brothers who were facing the Philistines. He arrived to find the moral of Israel's army very low. The men were beat down. Not literally, but in their minds and emotions. They were stuck and could not figure a way out. Even their King, Saul, instead of accepting Goliath's challenge, stayed hidden in his tent. He was cowering just like the rest of them. The boy, named David, was filled with anger. But what could a shepherd boy do about it?
David inquired as to what was going on. He was informed that the King offered a reward to any man who would accept the challenge and defeat Goliath. He would be made wealthy by the King, given the Kings daughter in marriage, and his father's household would be given exemption from all taxes. A sweet deal indeed. But no one took the offer. Until that day. And, David did.
He was ridiculed by his family. He was called everything but good looking by Goliath. Yet, the shepherd boy stepped out on the field of battle with a shepherds stick, a sling and bag of rocks! Instead of running away, David ran right at the giant. He reaches into his bag pulls out a stone, places it in the sling, swings it around and let's the rock fly. The rock hit Goliath right between the eyes. Down the giant went.
The taunting voices of the Philistines were gone. Instead, all that could be heard from them was the clamoring of their feet making a bee line out of there. The voices of unbelief from those in the Israeli camp now turned to cheering and jubilation. Even David's own brothers doubted him, but I can't help but think they were all bragging on their little brother after that.
David did not stop there. He ran over to Goliath. Drew the giants own sword and beheaded the Philistine Champion. He wanted to make sure that his enemy wasn't just down, but that he would not be getting back up...ever!
There are millions of people on this planet who find themselves threatened with slavery. They want more out of life. They can't help but feel that they were created for something bigger and better. But, there are giants who terrorize, taunt, and torment them. Even family and friends tell them to conform to the way things are. They find themselves living hopeless lives. Slaves to a time clock, slaves to an economic system that does not move them forward, slaves to a unwanted life. This is not how things have to be.
What was it that made the difference with David? The difference was that he actually got up and did something. He would not allow all of the negativity get him down. He would accept the challenge. That resolve to action is what defeat the giant, brought wealth and freedom to his life. It can do the same for you.
Are you tired of the rat race? Are you tried of the 9-5? Tired of making someone else wealthy? What if I could provide you with something that could propel you to the life you were destined to live? Would you be willing to at least take a look? Would you be willing to act if you accept the challenge? Don't you think it's time to stop hiding in your tent?
Stay tuned for more.....
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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