The Lion, The Bear, & The Philistine

Last Sunday's sermon from 1 Samuel 17 was for the moment in our lives when we know that we have to face someone that nobody else wants to face. It is the person that makes you queasy inside and you don't even like walking near them. You avoid them at all costs. If you have not met that person yet, then you may be that person. Goliath was a reality for Israel and if Israel does not deal with Goliath, then Israel will always live a defeated life.

Original art by Charles Wright who I met 3 days later.

The Lion
The lion represents strength and many call the lion the king of the beasts. David tells Saul that he caught a lion by the beard and killed the lion who had a sheep in its mouth. Satan is much like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) who walks about seeking whom he may devour. We can destroy the presence of Satan in our lives when we are sober minded and vigilant according to the Scriptures. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, but of love and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)

The Bear
The bear represents size and strength that unashamedly comes in to take over. Bears do not have good vision, so they do nut hunt well at night like Lions do. This means we have enemies that will sneak up on us and others that will walk directly into our faces daring us to do something about it. The bear is monstrously strong and their claws always remain visible unlike the lion who has retractable claws.

Charles Wright drew this with a pencil freehand!

The Philistine
The worst of all enemies on the planet is humanity when they have their minds twisted and bent on the destruction of others at any cost. Goliath represents the danger of empowering mankind with great wealth, strength, and wisdom. All of these are great qualities, but in the wrong hands can lead to disaster. David was not the wealthiest, strongest, or the wisest. David had one thing going for him that the others did not. David did what he was doing in the Name of the Lord. David killed Goliath with a sling and a stone that he pulled from a brook. Let the Lord lead you beside still waters today and restore your soul so that you may face Goliath with one rock. The rock you must have is Jesus, the rock of our salvation. He's all we need to overcome our enemy. David spoke to his enemy before he killed him and we too likewise must be bold as a lion with our tongue and strong & unashamed as a bear with our faith so we can let our enemies know that we are not afraid of them, because God is with us. The Lord will deliver, when we hope in Him.
 May the Lord deliver us from evil, may His kingdom come and His will be done. Amen!

Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...