Turn away
And David turned away from Eliab. Derived from: 1 Samuel 17:30
David turned away fro Eliab! He didn’t fight him. He didn’t argue with him. He didn’t try to beg him for his attention, approval or for him to hear him out. No! He didn’t try to prove his point. David simply turned away from him and sometimes that’s what we need to do. Just walk away. Turn our heads. Not to walk away in shame or defeat but to just move on. Not to turn away from the mission, but to ignore the critics. What do you need to turn away from?
You see, some people won’t want you to do better and it may be because of their own agenda, or maybe they have no faith in you. It’s gonna happen sometimes. Question is: who will you choose to believe and who will you aim to please? By turning away, you’re refusing to pay attention to the noise, you’re choosing to trust God and you’re continuing to pursue what He’s put inside of you.
Arguing and trying to prove your point doesn’t make you win. All it does is take up unnecessary time. It distracts you from the bigger picture and slows you down. We’ve all fought and engaged in needless battles at some point or another, some for years! It’s time to quit that! You can’t fight the real battle and argue at the same time. Win or argue? You choose.
You see, Eliab was Daniel’s oldest brother and he didn’t think that his baby brother ought to be on a battle field. Not because he was trying to protect him or didn’t think it was a place for a young man to be, but it was clear that he didn’t want him there. He saw him for what he thought he was (just a shepherd boy), not who he could be. I suspect there was some jealousy.
God doesn’t view or see people the same as we do, He looks straight to the heart, past all the exterior. Your looks, title or age don’t keep you out or get you in. It’s what’s within you!
David came to inquire about the giant and all the other men saw was a nuisance and a joke! God saw a warrior! We all already know who he came to inquire about: Goliath! And what he came to do: defeat him. And we all already know how the story went: he did!
Then he turned away from him to another and said the same thing; and the people replied with the same words as before. v30
He continued his pursuit and inquiry, even though they all said the same thing!
Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. v32
He finally got through to the king! Don’t stop inquiring of your God and continue to pursue what He’s put inside of you to do! Don’t quit! Turn away from the chatter and the looks.
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” v33
God sees our potential when no one else does. He uses common folk everyday! He created you and He knows what’s inside of you. He knows us inside out, faults and all, and He loves us anyway. He tells us to let no man despise our youth. We need to see the potential in our young people and know that God wants to use them too! No matter how young or old we are, we ought not despise either for He is maker of all, and wills to use us in whatever stage or season of life that we’re in! We’re too young, it’s never too late and we’re never to young or old for God if He wants to use!
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. v 34-35
May we all have this attitude like David, and not forget the past deliverances that God has given us. He will do it again. You can do it again! He is more than mighty to save. Daniel wasn’t arrogant but confident that he didn’t go it alone! He was fearless in his pursuit and unafraid to face the enemy. He had spent a lot of time engaging and fighting a different kind of battle in the sheep field - long before he ever came to this moment. God uses what and how we fight in private to prepare us for bigger things.
“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” v36
David knew what he had come to do! He was confident in the call and duty, and was all his Father’s business. If God sends you, He’ll not only protect you but equip you to do what He sends you to do. Sometimes we want only the protection and not the conflict but battles aren’t won without war. Sometimes that means standing still and other times to dive right in! We can’t expect protection from issues but in issues! We weren’t made to sit idly by and dodge every bullet. We were made to fight!!
David wasn’t scared of a fight. He also refused to get caught up in the wrong fight; that’s why he turned away. There was no time for the nonsense. There was bigger fish to fry.
Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” v 37
He recognized and acknowledged where the true deliverance came from. Then the king say go! That’s all he needed! The go ahead from the king. That’s all you need too! Do you pursue like David to be active in the Lord’s will or are you scared of a fight and opposition? It’s the only way to grow past it and to move to the next level, or else we always fight the same ole’ battles with no real victory. It’s possible to lose the war before we even begin… David was relentless in his pursuit. He wasn’t hung up on what anyone thought or said. He just needed the kings approval.
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. v 38-39
David didn’t wear the war gear (protection) that Saul provided. It wore him down but by Gods power, grace and protection he pursued the giant. He already had the real armor. We’re not clothed and equipped as the world is but we’re told to put on the full armor of God daily. You can’t see this armor. The war is spiritual and the armor is too. A spiritual battle requires a spiritual outfit! It begins within!
“For (we don’t not wrestle against) our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. v 40
We need not fear to approach the real enemy and the issues of our soul. We need not hold back what God has put in our hands to use. He will give us the resources that we need, and when we need them, even if they seems funny to those around us. David took down the enemy with a lot of courage, a little sling and a little stone.
There was another man who was sent to fight in the Bible. His name was Gideon and he did not feel qualified - because of his background and where he came from. Nevertheless, God used him. God did something that made no sense to man. He reduced Gideon’a army and also gave them torches and trumpets to go out to the fight with. Read about it!
Sometimes God will reduce what you have so that you will only depend on Him, and not this or that.
So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. v 41-42
Goliath THOUGHT that he was fixing to walk all over this lad and smear him in the mud. But instead, he was smeared and defeated!
So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. v 43
Again, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or says about you. This time, David didn’t turn away. He knew that this was the real fight that he was supposed to be in.
And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” v 44
Wrong! Think again!
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
That was the difference! He had God on his side.
The God of angel armies is always by our side!!! The battle belongs to Him.
The God in you, is with you and watching over you. He is using you and strengthening you for battle every single day.
“This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” v 46
And he did! David showed up and God showed out! And that’s all we need to know. Not if, or how, or when but that He will. When the time is right…
We need to be prepared in and out of season. We must be ready to be used by God. He will equip, we just need to be ready and available.
“Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” v 47
They saw and knew, no doubt!
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. V 48
David did not hesitate. He ran right toward the fight. When we hesitate, we shrink back and fear takes hold. Fear holds us back. When God tells us to go, we need to go! We only need to fear God and not obeying Him. Hesitation is reasoning and reasoning doesn’t require faith. Unbelief is doubt. And delayed obedience is still disobedience! Oh how many times have I had to see the hard way!!!
David wasn’t scared of and didn’t back down from a fight, for he knew Who was with him and for Him.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10
No matter what battle or what kind of battle that you face today, you can be sure and confident that if you know God, then He is for you and with you too. He will be with you every step of the way. He will never leave us or forsake us. He never promised us that it would be easy or that we wouldn’t face it, but that He would be with us and take us through… We never walk alone.
He said that in this world we would have troubles. That’s a given, but He also gives us hope and promises to hold onto. He told us to be of good cheer, for He has overcame the world that we live in. He gave us Jesus Who took our place. That’s why we can rejoice! Christ came and laid down his life for you so that you might have a living hope. It was all for us so that we might love and live in the fullness of what He died to give! That doesn’t come without a fight. The enemy opposes you because he doesn’t want to know what’s within you and what God has in store for you. If He can stop you, you won’t tap into.
So, no matter what you face, remember: we all have our battles. And we must face them. They don’t just go away. And just because we choose to follow Him, doesn’t mean that it’ll be easy. It doesn’t mean that we won’t face trials of all kinds, but that we don’t walk alone. It’s not easy. We all want to give in at times. I’ve been disappointed and disheartened and discouraged too. I came to not only encourage you but to encourage myself. We’re better and stronger together.
So no matter what you face, whether it is a child or a spouse gone haywire. Maybe it’s something within you. Remember, people aren’t your enemy. You aren’t the enemy. There is a real enemy of your soul and he comes to get you and them off course and off track! He’s the real culprit. He wants you to get caught up in the wrong fights and to fight all wrong. I’ve done it many times.
Love them, love yourself, and attack him.
It may be sickness, a loved one, a job or lack of, a problematic child or relationship, or just living in a fractured world that seems too much. Whether it’s spiritual, financial or relational, I don’t have all the answers but HE IS! He says: I AM. We can fill in the blank for whatever it is we need. We find it in Him. He may offer peace. He may offer a solution. He may offer a friend. He is our closest companion and friend, or at least extends a hand and wants to be. He is our missing half. He fills in the blanks. He is the great I AM. No hill is too high for Him to climb, no ditch too deep to reach in. No one is out of reach and I thank God that He is holding onto me when I don’t know if I’m holding onto Him. He gives me what I need to fight and win.
So, fight on your knees. Stand in your faith! Speak love and truth!
We never walk alone!
Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. v 49
Whatever God gives you to use, use it! It was given to benefit you but it’s no good tucked away. Be willing to pull out of your bag whatever it is that He has given and placed inside of you! Watch Satan fall on his face. Watch the enemy fall into the trap that he thought he was setting for you! Giants are meant to fall.
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” Proverbs 26:27
Eventually…
Good or evil is like a boomerang. Watch what you put out there for it’ll return the same, from which it came. Lean into God and truth, and you won’t lean into self and self’s own way or you’re lack of understanding! Instead, trust in the Lord with all your heart as you lean into Him. Clearly listen, and then boldly pursue!
SO DAVID PREVAILED OVER THE ENEMY with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. v 50
With just a sling and stone. God can use anything or anyone that He wants to. He uses the weak things of the world to shame and confound the wise!
Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. v 51
Again, David ran! He knocked the giant down with a swing, a sling and a stone. You’ll never hit for what you wish for unless you aim for! Aim to please God and attack the enemy! Not the critics. He cut off the enemies head with his own sword! The men ran! He took down the brains of the operation and took out the opponents with courage, faith, determination and willingness to pursue. He put it into action.
It’s time to re-engage! It’s time to stop taking and wasting precious God given time on what don’t matter and start investing that time and energy into what and who does! We take away from what is deserving of our time when we waste it on what’s not!
If you’re fighting fires that you can’t put out and spinning your wheels, it’s time to put your faith into action and your wishes into gear, and move. The enemy loves it if he can keep you back from the real fight. He comes to deter and defer you! That’s his whole tactic and mission. He loves to get you caught up in the wrong fights. You can be a fighter and still lose if you’re not in the right fight!
I heard a message once that I’ll never forget. “Let the little dogs bark.” We don’t have time for pettiness, ankle biters and small talkers! We don’t have time for gossip and strife. There’s a world on fire and souls hanging in the balance and found wanting. There’s souls dying and giving up everyday, while we fight nonsense and try to prove what GOD has already approved! Think about it and choose your battles wisely. Don’t get hung up on it, turn away.
The worlds needs what you got and they need you to come to their rescue. We too often fight the world’s own ,when it’s those who need us most. We were sent out to build God’s Kingdom, not our own. Whose side are we on? The worlds or Gods? Let’s not fight with them but for them, with truth and love!
You don’t have time for the little dogs barks, small idle chatter, neigh saying or threats! The real battle’s out there! All the rest is just a diversion - don’t fall for it and don’t stop for just anything and everything. Be wise. Seek God and wisdom to know when and what to do! Not every battle belongs to you. That’s wisdom!
The enemy wants you to turn aside from your course and not make it to the end or win! That’s His main goal and objective and ours should be to win! We need to have a true fighters mindset and mentality in order to see the bigger picture, end goal and to have the right God strategies. It’s the relentlessness to pursue that matters! Think like the enemy to know his tactics but think like God to win. The Word, not the world! It’ll tell you all you need to know to win. The enemy comes to wear you out, one small punch and chisel at a time.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning. It’s not always how you start but how you finish… 🥊
Don’t quit until you hear ding ding ding 🛎️. “Well done”..
2 Timothy 4
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
See too it that no man take your crown! It’s not over till He says it is.
Don’t let the enemy knock you out! Get back up. Get back in. It’s your race to win.
We are ALL in a race and fight of some sort and will be till the end. There’s ups and downs in life and God wants to see you through them all. The enemy comes to wear out the saints and we need to recognize who the real enemy is so we don’t get caught up boxing air and wounding innocent people. Know whose side you’re on and whose side you’re not on.
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
The real battle is within and the only way you can really fight it is to dig deep, get real and get real honest with God. Let Him take control. Give up trying to do it on your own! You’re not alone! Surrender it all to Him. We interfere with God’s hand and provision when we constantly try to take over and do it alone! Quit tight gripping.
Remember: a train can’t and don’t stop for the little dogs. It’s time to be like David and know when to turn away. It’s time to be the train and stop paying attention to nonsense. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Continue to pursue until God answers or shows you!
Be encouraged for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Discouragement is the fastest way down! Be INcouraged! Like David, we must learn to encourage ourselves in The Lord. The fact is, we don’t always have or need someone else to encourage us. Sometimes we do but it’s in these times that we learn to draw closer to God and learn to depend on Him.
Stay on your mission and in your field. Don’t waver and don’t fall for the trap - that’s all it is.
Those who undertake great and public services, must not think it strange if they are spoken ill of, and opposed by those from whom they expect support and assistance. They must humbly go on with their work, in the face not only of enemies' threats, but of friends' slights and suspicions. ~ Matthew Henry Commentary
Remember:
Sometimes it’s those who are closest to you, or that you want approval from the most, that wont give it to you. As long as you have God’s, that’s all you need.
