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 on the battlefield. Remember David's words on the day he fought the giant? First to the men standing nearby as Goliath taunted 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 on the field of battle: Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. (17:46)
And here, many years later one of David's descendants 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 10 tribes of Israel come against two tribes of Judah. And then 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 their ordinations on the Internet?
Nothing like a little good natured trash talk between opponents.
And then the battle is joined. All the bookies had odds in favor of Israel, and yet Judah came out victorious, leaving Israel to limp home, shell shocked from the beating they'd received.
Now, what was that enemy you were afraid was too tough for you and God to handle?
Fear itself seems to be my enemy. How many times have I not been true to myself out of fear that I might be rejected, and yet here where true fear for their lives existed they were able to rely on the God who had guided them and sustained them over time. How can I trust any less when it is an imagined outcome that I am fearful of.
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