I always loved the story of David and Goliath. I've loved it first because little DAVID (namesake for me) took down the giant. Oh yeah. David the giant killer. My chest always pumped up as a kid, okay is still does. When you're short in stature you have to get excited when the little guy, the underdog comes out on top.
But there is a lot here in this story that often goes over looked. As I was reading through this passage I couldn't help focus on the family dynamics going on here in 1Sam. 17. Three of David's older brothers are serving in King Saul's army defending Israel. Jesse, David's dad, sends David up to the front with some supplies, or should I say a care package from home. When David gets there he hears the Daily Goliath Show mocking Israel and God.
David maybe young but he sure is idealist. Oh wait, don't those usually go together. He is appalled by the giant's palaver. David starts asking questions of the professional soldiers as to why they put up with that offense. Now the interesting thing is that David's oldest brother starts to verbally attack his youngest brother. He accuses David of all sorts of negative things. To which David responds, "Now what have I done? Can't I even speak?" And then he split from his brothers to go to talk with someone else.
Older more experienced siblings often don't have a lot of patience with their younger brothers. They're sometimes seen as immature, obnoxious pests trying to horn in on the action. The younger siblings are often looked at as if they have no business messing in the older siblings' world. The younger are not seen as credible and more of a meddling irritant.
As a new church, I've experienced that mentality from the older, more established churches in our area. Suspicion, disdain, apathy for our work as a new sister church has been more the order of the day. Some pastors and churches actually opposed us, spread negative rumors about us, even preached against us from their pulpits. Instead of welcoming us, encouraging us, supporting us, they actually worked against us. Our community is three fourths unchurched and growing more that way every day. The irreverence for God continues to grow, yet instead of welcoming us, they negate us.
To be honest, I have kind of felt like David. What did I do? I'm just interested in seeing the lost come to Christ. But it's been like I've done something majorly egregious to offend all Christendom. My older brothers have seen me as an irritating interference.
But that sibling abuse didn't stop David and ultimately he went out and faced Goliath with nothing but five small stones and his sling. God was with David and as we all know he slew Goliath. What would have happened if David's brothers would have embraced him, encouraged him, helped him, stood with him? Both David and his brothers would have benefited. As it turned out, David was victorious and became a hero. His brothers, looked stupid and virtually disappeared from spiritual relevance.
Brothers should stand with brothers. Sisters should stand with sisters. Instead of taking pot shots at one another verbally, we should rally around each other in love and support and encouragement. Too many battles have been fought within the family over silly or trivial issues while the enemy of God mocks His people. The Goliath of paganism rages and rails against the Kingdom of God while God's people fuss among themselves. Sibling rivalry or sibling jealousy is unproductive and damaging to everyone.
God, you said we should love each other and that the world would know we are your followers by our love for one another. Help me truly love my brothers so that the world won't look at the church with disdain, disgust or even hatred, but see it as open, humble, caring, supportive and the way to true life.
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