Courageously Stirred

"David said to the Philistine, "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."

-1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)-

          Looking at this picture, how many of you think this man is going to lose his grip and fall? What do you think David felt? What about the people gathered around to watch David? Did they think he was going to lose his grip and fall against the great Goliath? Probably.

          But David had a secret weapon: confidence and trust in the Lord. Today, this reminds me of Casting Crowns' song "Courageous." Check out the lyrics:

We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid.

but now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.

Where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.

let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.

(David!)

We were made to be courageous,
and we're taking back the fight.
we were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.

The only way we'll ever stand,is on our knees with lifted hands.

This goes for everyone. Submission and surrender to God's strength is the only way to truly be strong. David knew this when he challenged Goliath. "...but I come to you in the name of the LORD...". Can you imagine what Goliath felt like? He was probably laughing. Or maybe a wise, small fear crept its way up his spine. Either way, David knew surrender to God's strength was the only way to truly conquer a giant. What is your giant? What do you need help with conquering? Ask God to make you courageous.

make us courageous, Lord make us courageous.

may the watchers become warriors,let the men of God arise.

Again, what would have happened that day if the men on the sidelines watching this "poor" boy responded to the call of courage? What if those men became warriors and joined in with David? Well, we wouldn't have the lesson of David and Goliath today, but we would have what this song is trying to encourage and inspire. Where are the men of God today? Guys - this is written for you: you are desparately needed. The Body of Christ needs men just like you. We need you to truly stand by surrendering and praising and relying solely on God. We need you to answer that passion in your heart and lead like Jesus. We need you to know Jesus personally. We need you in our churches, in our homes, in our families, in our workplaces, in our every day walking around life. We need examples for the younger generations and for young "David's" to not let any "Goliath" get in their way. We need you.

In the war of the mind I will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands.

Ladies, if you know a guy who needs some encouragement - spur him on! Guys, if you're reading this post and you have a doubtful spirit or a negative mindset, stop. It's false. You have it in you to be great, to do great, to show off God's glory through his strength in you. We don't need watchers. We need warriors. We need women who are willing to battle in prayer and by example for their children and their men. We need men who are willing to reach down deep and battle for their children and their women, no matter how tough the circumstances are. We need you to remember that you were made for a glorious, specific purpose, none of which means backing down to the giants in your life.

Whatever any of us does, we must look our own "Goliath" squarely in the eye and say, "I or We come to you in the name of the LORD whom you have defied..." Don't forget the unseen battles! Often, we are battling behaviors, attitudes, pride, envy, jealousy, lust, etc. We even battle for the Lord's attention in our mindset. Don't be surprised if it becomes tougher to battle in your mind, your heart and your hands. Your thoughts, attitudes, values and actions are all what the "Goliath's" desire. But the victory does not belong to Goliath.

"The victory belongs to the LORD."
-Proverbs 21:31 (NIV)-

Today, I pray that you ask God what He needs you to be courageous toward. Maybe it's a false belief, or an old wound. Perhaps it's an unknown future or an undecided course of action. What about your family or your marriage? Your children? Your friends? Who or what do you need to dig down deep and take your stand against? With who or what do you need to trust God and go boldly before? I pray that He reveals these things to you, and that you earnestly seek after His heart with all the courage you have left. In Jesus' name. Amen.