Faith of David:

Young David of old, is an outstanding example of the power of faith. While David was what the Bible calls a boy, he would spend time tending his father's sheep. Some believe he was probably a late teenager, but the exact age is not important. David was a young man or boy with great faith in Jehovah; the God of his nation of Israel.

During that period, while David cared for the flock out in the fields by himself, both a lion and a bear came in and stole a sheep. On both occasions, David chased after and killed the beasts and rescued his father's sheep. [Since Christ is referred to as the greater David, (Luke 1:32-33 ; John 10:16-18) there can be little doubt this drama is a figurative picture of Christ providing the sacrifice to rescue us all from death, and his later coming as a powerful king to destroy the wicked, thus freeing the meek for eternity. (Psalm 37:11)]

David was sent by his father Jesse to bring supplies to his brothers in the war against God's enemies. [The Philistines were wicked people who worshiped false Gods. By their choice of worship, they were made so vile as to practice child sacrifice. Jehovah sent his fame into all the land, so any among the nations who were righteously inclined had opportunity to turn to worshiping the true God. (Joshua 2:9-11)] When David arrived to bring his supplies, he found the giant Goliath taunting the battle lines of Israel. David was appalled! These were Jehovah's servants; How could this be allowed to happen? "What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine?" young David asks. This is an irritation to David's brothers, as they see him as only a boy. His brothers are bitterly angry with David, for no other reason than David's display of faithfulness. David is not deterred and continues with his question until King Saul hears of it, and David is brought before him. David tells the king he will strike down the giant. As David approaches Goliath in battle, he leaves no doubt where his unflinching bravery comes from: His faith in Jehovah. Though the Philistine mentions his own Gods, David dismisses the Philistine gods saying: "You are coming to me with a sword and a spear." David continues: "I am coming to you with the name of Jehovah of armies, and he will this day deliver you into my hand, just as he did with the bear and the lion." In David's mind there was little difference between this uncircumcised Philistine [demon worshiping enemy of Israel] who would taunt the battle lines of the living and true God, and the animals who tried to carry away his father's sheep. David sees little difference between animals and those who would sacrifice their own children. David had no doubt Jehovah would deliver him from the Philistine, just the same as from the bear and lion. David's great faith left no doubt in his mind as to the outcome. Where did David's faith come from? David had studied the Bible [the Hebrew scriptures available in his day] and had come to know Jehovah personally. David's faith grew based on his Bible knowledge, and as it did, Jehovah revealed himself to David by giving him power to accomplish God's will. (1 Samuel 17:20-51) David was thus raised from a simple shepherd boy to become king and ruler of God's nation of Israel; And was favored to be used in the line of men producing the messiah. Christ is referred to [among other things] as the "son of David." (Matthew 1:1) What a great privilege for King David!

Faith then, is a powerful tool and ally. David discerned what God was doing in the earth in his day, and by faith put himself in place to be used by God in that effort. Through the Bible, Jehovah is today telling us what he is doing to accomplish his purpose in the earth. The question for each of us: Are we building faith to put ourselves in line to be a help to him? Those unwilling to submit to God's will, put themselves in line not to have to be swept away. Jehovah is the one making everything perfect; The one teaching us to benefit ourselves. (Isaiah 48:17) The terrible conditions we all experience in the earth today, are a witness against those who rebel against our Creator. That rebellion is the reason for all our problems. It is the reason we are all headed to the grave on the day we are born, instead of being born into eternal life in paradise. (Genesis 1:28) The pain and suffering of life is directly connected to rebellion against our Creator's principles. Who could not really want Jehovah to fix these problems? That is what God is doing, by sweeping away those who are rebellious and refuse to be corrected. In what do you place your faith?

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