This Sunday I am preaching about David and Goliath. It is a metaphor we hear often in sports, business and politics. Remember the famous Apple Superbowl commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8,
and the Barak Obama political campaign add toward Hillary Clinton
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Why is it that this passage from the Bible continues to resonate?
David takes the simple tools of a shepherd to face the giant of his age in the Valley Of Elah. A staff, his sling, and five smooth stones are all he needs. Simple familiar tools are enough when we face life’s greatest challenges. Food for thought for us with all our technology.
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David against Goliath is told from vantage point of the weak. If you have ever been weak, or afraid, or not up to the task, and had life’s greatest challenge thrust upon you, then you know what it is like to walk into the Valley of Elah. You know what it is like to be David.
What valley have you descended into?
What storm has tested your faith?
What tools did you bring?
Was God’s Grace present?
What simple tools do we need in our age when it is our turn to enter one of life’s difficult valleys?
1) Faith that is greater than ourselves
2) A faith community to walk with us when we struggle
3) A network of friends or family to support you
4) Some experienced voices or professionals to counsel us
In one of life’s valleys courage and resourcefulness are not enough when we confront the giants of our age. If the giant of our age is divorce, addiction, job loss, foreclosure or disease, the story of David teaches the lesson that must be re-taught with every age: is the strength of my faith able to lead me through the depth of the valley?
What valley are you facing in life and how are you getting through? I look forward to hearing from you.
May It Be So For You, and Also For Me.
Rev. Dan's sermons are available at www.stlukepres.org
