One of my Heroes

In by Roger Staub0 Comments

We love our heroes! Politicians, athletes, teachers, soldiers, or actors. Most heroes are revered for their exploits. They fight more fiercely, run faster, make more money, or are more handsome or talented than those around them.

Less frequently are heroes identified by their attitudes or character. And rarely, one of our heroes may combine extraordinary feats with a mind and heart that is surpassing. My hero is such a person; King David – poet, musician, warrior, inventor, politician, and prophet.

From the days in the valley of Elah, when young David faced down the giant of Gath, Goliath, to his overwhelmingly victorious military campaigns as King of Israel, David was hailed as a hero. During those years he developed, with the influence of Saul’s son, Jonathan, and several hundred remarkable men who surrounded him, a philosophy of life and relationship which endeared him to God, and to his people.

I’ve chosen five statements from his reign which give a penetrating insight into the kind of man who became known as “a man after God’s own heart!” These principles have inspired and challenged me all my lifetime . . . . .

“Your servant has killed both lion and bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them . . .” 1 Samuel 17:36

When we face giants in our lives we have two choices. We can tabulate our resources, and make a decision based on comparative strength . . . or we can remember our history with God.

Every rational Israeli thought David would die at Goliath’s hand. He was a shepherd boy. But on the mountains of Judea tending Jesse’s flocks, David was not idle. In those solitary years he developed as a thinker, a visionary, and in the disciplines of responsibility, vigilance, meditation, and prayer.

So, when predators came to plunder the flock, he and God were ready. “When the lion rose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.” David had a history of adversity and triumph with God. Courage comes from the stories of deliverance and provision in our history; a power and will to say again to the present challenge, “. . . And you will be like one of them!”

“For as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24

God values and rewards us for our faithfulness, not for the dimensions of our ‘spiritual footprint.’

We often struggle with our sense of significance. Our service or assignment doesn’t seem comparable to that of other believers. We’re not able to match their endurance or productivity, and we feel inferior. It’s an awful deception we must all escape. (2 Cor. 10:12)

David noticed the differences in his men, and he valued them more for their loyalty than their capacities. So, when 200 of them were too spent to pursue the fleeing Philistines, he left them by the brook to guard the gear. When David and his men returned with all the spoils of victory, some of the men protested when David declared everyone would get an equal share, even those who couldn’t keep up. “This was God’s victory!” David declared. “I’m not permitting that kind of attitude among us!”

We’d say today that David was a ‘team player.’ Like God, he knew our real strength lies in “that which every joint supplies.” (Eph. 4:16)

“Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14: 6

God doesn’t need an advantage; only an adventurer!

The relationship between David and Jonathan is one of the great stories of friendship and covenant in recorded history. “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Sam. 18:1) Torn between loyalty to David and his father Saul, sadly, young Jonathan died with his father. (1 Sam. 31)

But in his lifetime, Jonathan’s knowledge of God made him a bold and fierce warrior for Israel. In this story he, and just his armor-bearer, carried out a preemptive strike on the Philistine camp, killing twenty men on a half acre of ground. It caused such a stir among the enemy that they were confused and defeated easily that day.

Jonathan left us this rich kingdom truth: It’s not how many are with you that determine the outcome, but did the Lord tell you to go? When you get there, God knows how to even the odds!

“It was before the Lord Who chose me (that I danced), . . Therefore I will play before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this . . .” 2 Samuel 6:21, 22

Always keep this attitude; My best stuff is still ahead!

Relatively few Christians have experienced the sheer joy of an unrestrained celebration of God! I remember a night in rural Honduras when I danced in praise for over an hour. That night God healed everyone we prayed for; almost 100 souls!

David was a worshipper! He was overjoyed to bring the Ark of God up to Jerusalem, With priests, musicians, and all the dignitaries of Israel accompanying him, he leaped and twirled before the ark as it came up Zion’s hill. His wife, Michal, was terribly embarrassed.

Most folks reserve unrestrained celebration for sporting events, parties featuring some alcohol, and BBQ cook-offs. David was not affected by the criticism; he knew and loved God, and praising Him was a priority. “You think this is crazy, wait till tomorrow!” If we could seize on David’s kind of zeal for God, we might also enjoy some of the blessings that accompanied most of his 40 year reign!

“No, but I will surely buy it . . . , for I will not offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.” 1 Chronicles21:24

God’s love is free and unconditional; living out a life we can joyfully present to our Lord comes at a cost! (Romans 12:1,2)

David had made a mistake, and it cost the nation dearly. Finally, David was directed by the prophet to offer sacrifices to the Lord at a certain place, a threshing floor, to perhaps stay the hand of judgment.
The generous owner offered to give David the property, as well as wood for a fire and oxen to slaughter. David would not hear of it!

He gave 600 shekels of gold (over 200 pounds!) and then offered his sacrifices to the Lord. Judgment was averted, and David got past the crisis. Nowhere in his life can we see anything but his best effort to properly value everything pertaining to God and His service. We too, should demand of ourselves the best we can give for our Lord!

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