Victorious Livio « B y Do
T h e r e is in the first chapter of your Bible a simple statement which clearly suggests that victorious living is a foreordained part of the economy of God for His children. The state ment reads as follows: “ and let them have dominion.” (Gen. 1:26) Accept ing this simple declaration for all that it implies, let us turn to the last chapter of the Bible. In Rev. 22:5, we read, “And they shall reign forever and ever.” Between these two widely separated passages one is faced with constant proclamations and prophe cies, illustrations, types and declara tions of victorious living. 'The lives of patriarchs and prophets as well as the history of God’s deal ings with the Children of Israel, all bear evidence of the plan of God for a victorious people. The message of the four Gospels and the Acts account of the first century church add their testimony to the story of God’s pro vision of victory for those who are His. As we look into the Epistles and read such pointed declarations as, “ sin shall not have dominion over you” or “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us,” we are left with the conclusion, that victorious living is the norm of Christian experience. In the consideration of this all-im portant subject we are turning to I Samuel, Chapter 17, where we will find the familiar story of the conflict between David and Goliath. No duel in all of history has cap tured the imagination of so many peo ple throughout so many centuries in so many lands and languages as that fought between David and Goliath. Artists have pictured it; preachers have expounded it; authors have writ ten about it. Mothers have mad it to their children; youth has >een in spired by it, and scoffers have mocked at it. Far beyond all of this, it has brought spiritual blessing to multi tudes of God’s people, and rightfully so, for it contains the very elements of Christian victory for every soul ■willing to learn its lessons. Honest obedience to its message will lift the
downfallen and discouraged to new heights. Carnality will give way to courage, frustration to fruitfulness, and empty profession to happy posses sion. The Proper Perspective: David and Goliath The mere mention of David and Goliath immediately brings to mind the story of two protagonists facing each other on an ancient battle field. Do you picture this as a match be tween an inexperienced fly-weight and a veteran heavy-weight? Does this appear to be somewhat of a lopsided scrap between a helpless boy and a hell-inspired giant? If so, you’re look ing through the wrong end of the telescope — turn it around and take a second look! In reality this is the picture of a poor deluded giant and his muscle- bound armor bearer as they attempt to do battle against the Lord Himself. Yes, it is true that this might be con sidered a mismatch. Indeed it was a lopsided fight but not in the sense that many might think. Goliath strutted across the battle field with his armor bearer by his side. But David’s unseen ally was Almighty God. So it is in our daily struggle. There is indeed a giant in every life, but let us be very sure that we are looking through the right end of the telescope. When we’re in focus, the correct per spective will open before us. Until all of us recognize and firmly believe that “He Who is within you is greater than he who is in the world” we cannot enter into that glorious victory that overcomes the world. We will do well to remember that David was neither the first nor the last to face a giant. Noah fought the “Goliath of ridicule” for one hundred and twenty years and won a glorious victory. Abraham entered into deadly combat with the “Goliath of unbelief” on Mount Moriah. He held firmly to the sling of God’s promises and threw the stone of faith with such force that unbelief was conquered and Abraham became the father of all who believe. Moses faced a Goliath in Pharaoh’s
courts when he refused to be accepted as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He struck a lethal blow at the “ giant of temporal wealth and fame” when he resolutely turned his back on the treasures and sensual pleasures of Egypt and stood beside his fellow countrymen in the filth of Pharaoh’s mud pits. Those are minute profiles of but a few who have won heroic battles and achieved mighty exploits in the name of Almighty God. The limitations of time and space forbid a rehearsal of the adventures of that almost endless procession of spiritual greats who sub dued kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mou th s of l i o n s , and quenched the violence of fire. The pages of Church history quiver and spring to life under the impact of those audacious men and women who dared to change the course of history with their tenacious insistence that the Christian faith is a citadel of right eousness and purity. Luther, Wycliff, Wesley, Carey, Judson, Taylor, Moody Dr. Don Hillis is a veteran of over 17 years' missionary service in India. While in India with the Evangelical Alliance Mission, Dr. Hillis developed the "Light of Life" Bible Correspondence Course. At present, Don Hillis is directing the work of Orient Crusades in Latin America.
44
THE KING'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker