The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-08-31

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LESSON Taxi Sam. 7:s2-5l
GOLDEN TEXT-lf God be for Us who can
be against us Rom S.3l.
CENTRAL TRUTH - Victory over evil
through faith in God b. the wise use Of
means.
TMG-About BIC. 1863. Two or three
years after the last lesson.
PLAcE-Near Shochoh, In the valley OF
Elah, fourteen miles southwest Of Jeru-
salem. The valley of Elah runs northwest
toward GAIA The Israelltes were en-
camped on the northeastern slope, and the
Philippines on the southwestern, with q
level place between them, through which
ran ravine separating the two armies.
GoLIATH-A giant of the Anakim race,
about nine and one.h half feet high. He was
defended by brazen coat Of mail weighing
5000 shekels, or l51 pounds avoirdupois.
His spear head weighed about nineteen
pounds. He was accompanied by shield
bearer to defend him while his own hands
were free.
DAvID-The son of Jesse, skilled in
music, and especially in the use of the
sling, which he used as a defence against
beasts and robbers, the enemies Of his
flock. He had been called to the court two
or three years previous to this to charm
away the evil spirit from Saul. In the
meantime he had developed in every direc-
ton, and probably had changed much in
appearance by the growth of his beard, so
that Saul did not recognize him.
HELPS OVER HARD PLACEs-32. And David
said: led on by the Spirit Of God, and by the
spirit Of devotion to Gods cause. He was
OF course aware of his skill with the sling
"a. And there came lion: lions and bears
were not uncommon in Palestine. 81. The
Lord that deli0ered me: the help God had
given him in the first was the proof that he
would help in the present emergency, 49,.
He had not prOped il: he was unaccustomed
to such armor Had he kept on Saul S
armor he would certainly have been slain
40. A scrip: small leather bag. His sling!
with this David was very skillful, and could
attack the giant from distance. The Ben
jamites could sling stone at a hair breadth
and not miss Judges 20:l6). AZ Am 1 a dog!
the giant did not seem to see the sling,
but thought David was going to try and kill
him with his stick, as he would a dog. A.
And the PhtiStines nd: they could be heard
across the ravine between them, but had to
go q distance on opposite sides before they
could meet. 40. The stone sunk into his fore.
head: this stunned the giant, but David
took Goliaths own sword and beheaded
him.
LESSON FACTs-The Philstines, though
previously defeated by Saul, seem to have
gathered courage from the fact that they
had with them an invincble champion,
named Goliath, warrior not far from ten
feet in height. In those days of singecom-
bat this was no mean advantage. For full
forty days after the hostile armies had ar
rayed themselves against each other, this
Goliath paraded himself before the trembling
Israelites, challenging someone to come out
and meet him in single combat. But no one
took up the challenge, all seemed paraly2cd
by fear. This was the state of affairs when
David came from his fathers house to see
how his brothers were prospering Here
he feared for the first time how things
stood, and heard of Sauls offer to the man
who would vauquish the dreaded champion
Full of faith and zeal and full of Indignation
at the insult thus offered to the God of
Israel, David volunteered his services.
CoMMENTs-Grant the great skill Of
David in the use of his sling apparently
the only weapon against which Goliath was
powerless), we still must seek for the sc.
cret of his success in another direction.
This we may easily find in the spirit which
evidently animated him In his dialogue
with Saul with regard to his ability to meet
this foe, while he modestly speaks of his ex-
periences with the bear and the lion, he even
then ascribes the glory to God, saying:
"The Lord that delivered me out Of the paw
of the lion and out OF the paw of the bear,
ha will 1niUar m pf thn hand nj this
Philistine." In David's mind the conflict
was not one between himself and the Philis-
tine champion, but between God and His ad-
versaries. The spiritual side Of the matter
was to David the real side. And here his
faith came bravely to his aid. The apostle
IN speaking of the heroes Of faith in He
brews II, fails not to mention David among
them, and he doubtless had this battle in
mind when he made mention OF him. Tho
hidden spring Of David's courage and sue
cess lay not in his sling and stones, but in
his prevailing faith in God How often we
have seen this in the history of Gods peo-
pie from the days Of Abel down even TO our
times. In many senses it remains true that
"this Is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith"
How did David overcome Goliath Sure
ly not by parleying with with him, and de-
ferring the day of combat. No sooner did he
hear the challenge, than he accepted it. He
hasted; he ran to the conflict, feeling that
the sooner he joined issue with the Philistine,
the sooner would he gain the victory. ale
who fights and runs away, may live TO fight
another day." may be good advice in earth
ly battle, but is the worst possible advice in
things spiritual RESIST the devil, and he
will flee from you" is the only buglecall
for the Christian soldier. Half of the ad-
versaries OF our souls would fee at once
were we to take bold stand, trusting in
God. Since we are HIS as much as David
was His, He will help US as well as He
helped David. May not the Christian who
who gives up sinful pleasures feel that God
will give him the courage to do so, and will,
besides, give him ample reward in spiritual
joyst May not the prodlgal believe that
when he gives up his life of sin and returns
TO his fathers house he will there be
abundantly provided for? Are not all those
tlmorous tremblings and hesitatlons to take
a stand, the result Of pure unbelief in God'
II God gave His Son for our salvation, will
He withhold His Spirit for our sanctltica-
toni The great lesson from our story Of
today is a simple but a very precious one;
namely, believe in God, and go straight
ahead along the line Of duty, though you
meet Goliath at every step along your