Whoever comes to
consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest (2 Chronicles 13:9).
I love David and
Goliath stories where right living results in confidence in a fight.
Remember David’s words on the day he fought the giant? First to the Israelites:
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the
living God? (1 Samuel 17:26). Then to the big palooka across the
battlefield: This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army
to the birds and the wild animals (17:46).
And here many years
later, David’s great-grandson is faced with another kind of Goliath – a vast
army superior in numbers, training and weaponry. It’s brother against brother,
or more correctly cousin against cousin, as ten tribes of Israel come against
two tribes of Judah. Abijah speaks out: Your golden calves are no match for
the God of the universe. And by the way, didn’t you drive out all the priests
of Yahweh? How are your replacement priests working out for you? You know, the
ones who got ordained on the Internet?
Nothing like a
little good natured trash talk between opponents.
And then the battle
is joined. The bookies had odds in favor of Israel, and yet Judah carried the
day, leaving Israel to limp home, shell shocked from the beating they’d
received.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Now, remind God who that
enemy was that you were afraid was too tough for you and God to handle? Imagine
what it would be like if God fought the battle for you.
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