Fight Card: Genise vs. Goliath.

Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. (First Samuel 17:10-11)

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam spoke of a grace for giant-killing. The message reinforced a kairos moment for Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, as we stand between the victory of completing our building extension and the continuing battle for the souls of people who have not yet come to Christ.

In First Samuel 17, we read that King Saul and his army were fearful of Goliath, a Philistine warrior who stood about nine feet tall. Scripture informs us: "For forty days the Philistine came forward morning and evening and took his stand." (First Samuel 17:16) Though Israel's army was skilled, not one man stepped up to fight against Goliath. Instead, they spent more than a month listening to Goliath's rants against them and against God.

What did God do in the face of this army's delay? He sent a boy to fight a giant.

Young David, though untrained, had a huge advantage over everyone else on the battlefield: He knew the power and the grace of God. And as our pastor shared (paraphrased here), If a giant kills a boy, that is not news. But if a boy kills a giant...

I wonder if we in our current context have some "giant"-sized issues that have been taunting us for forty days, or six months, or several years. On Sunday we were reminded that if we serve the living God, then we have access to His graces. Pastor Sam noted that we may know of God's saving grace, His keeping grace, and His grace to heal and deliver. All these graces bless us. But there is also a grace that empowers boys to kill giants. This grace of God is available to empower us, in our frailty and in our weakness and with our unqualified selves, to go out and do great exploits in the name of the LORD.

We know the power of our God, and we know that He imparts His grace to His people. If we are walking with the LORD, then there is no need for us to fear. We can face, and overcome, any challenge.

Do you have a Goliath? Don't fear. Today is a good day to slay a giant.

Lord God, we love You. You know the struggles each of us face. Please help us to remember that You are the God of grace and glory! Give us Your grace so that we can overcome obstacles and win the war for souls. Thank You for standing with us and empowering us to fight: not in our own strength, but in Your strength and through Your strategies. Glorify Your name in and through us. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.