The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-08-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON vi, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, AUG. 9.
Text of the Lesson. 1 Sam. xvii, 3S-
40-Memory Versus, 45-f7-GOlden
Text, Rom. viii, 31-COmmentnry
Prepared by Rev. ID. NJ. stearns.

ICop, eight, 1908, by American Press Association
SO, 49, And David said unto Saul. l can
not go with these. for | have not proved
them. And David put them off him.
After Samuel anointed him in the
midst of his brethren he seemed TO
have returned TO his home and to his
fathers flocks until Saul. being trou-
bled by an evil spirit and needing some
one TO comfort him and hearing of Da-
vid's skill with the harp sent for him
and found him so acceptable that he
made him his armor bearer xvi. 1929.
After this he returned from Saul, again
to feed his fathers sheep at Bethle-
hem xvii, 15). The Philistines gath
cred against Israel under their cham
pion Goliath, who challenged Israel TO
send Il man To fight with him, and he
defied them TO do SO. SO Saul and all
Israel were dismayed and greatly
afraid. They rejected the Lord and
chose man for Il king, great man
physically, and now this is what Genes
Of 1t. When the people Of God adopt
the worlds ways. the world can al
ways produce stronger and greater
flesh and blood methods. David, hav-
ing his three oldest brothers in Saups
army. is sent by Jesse with some good
things from home for the absent sons
and to see how they Jared. Seeing the
situation. he makes inquiry and is
deeply stirred TO behold an uncircum-
cised Philistine defying the armies of
the living God. Being brought into
the presence of Saul, he offers to fight
Goliath, assured that the Lord who
delivered him from the lion and the
bear would give him victory. Saul
consenting. arms David with his ar
NOR; but, being to him something un-
tried, he puts il from him, for in the
Lords service and battles we can use
only what we have proved.
49, And he took his staff in his hand and
chose him five smooth stones out Of the
brook - And his sling was in his
hand. and he drew near TO the Philistine.
He knew God. but not mans devices.
He was not a warrior, but simply
shepherd and he goes as such, under
no false appearance. He had proved
Israel. whose glory he sought and on
whom he relied. The Bible river Is
full of stones. precious promises and
assurances. each of which, held firmly
and told forth in the power OF the
Spirit. is capable of killing any giant Of
unbelief or fear or proud defiance. Da-
vid's sling and stones, like Moses rod
nj
in the eyes Of reason or common sense
perfectly ridiculous instruments to ac
compliSh the end in view. Gods way
and His thoughts are always unlike
ours and as far above them as heaven
is above the earth. yet they often seem
foolish and Childlike to human reason
Qsa. w, 5, 9; Cor. H. IA.
4l-44. And the Philistine said unto David.
Am | "A dog that thou contest 10 me with
slaves? And the Philistine cursed David
BY his gods.
Contrast these two men representing
God and the devil-David a youth in
shepherds dress. unattended, with staff
and sling and stones; Goliath, at least
nine feet high, with at least $50
pounds of coat of mail, spear like
weaver's beam with an iron head. and
an attendant bearing a shield. But the
giant comes strong in the pride Of his
own strength. while David comes
strong i'm the Lord and in the power Of
His might.
as 46 / come 10 thee in the name OF the
Lord of Hosts. the God OF the armies Of
Israel. whom thou hast defed. . that
fl,ava L.
God in Israel.
David was the messenger, the repre-
sentative OF the God Of Israel seeking
10 fame or honor for himself, but
only that God might be known and
glorifed before Israel and the Philis-
tines Had there been in David's heart
any thought of himself or desire for
his own honor he could not have gone
forward with such confidence. When
we go i'm the name of the Lord, ii is
never question of what we can or
cannot do. but simply of what He can
do. and His word to us is. "Believest
thou that am able to do thisI"
AZ. And all this assembly shall know
that the Lord saveth not with sword ami
spear. for the battle is the Lord s. and lie
will give you into our hands.
See how David is nothing and God Is
everything. Consider Pauls great
words, Not /, but Christ" Not l, but
the grace of God" (Gal. ii, 90; | Cor.
XIV. 10. Concerning the Lord fighting
for His people and the battle being His
see Tx. xiv, Is, IL Deut t. 50; Josh. Y,
Il; IL Chron. Xxx, Il, %, etc. Consider
the deliverance from Egypt the Red
sea. the Jordan. Jericho, and let us
never think that the work is ours nor
question Gods power.
$3.50. So David prevailed over the Philis-
tine with sling and with a stone and
smote the Philistine and slew him.
What moment Of intense interest 1t
was 10 the thousands of both armies
as their champions drew near to each
other. Goliath in all the might and
majesty of his great frame and impi-
Gus heart, and the shepherd lad, the
very picture of helplessness How the
interest would deepen as David started
to run toward his enemy and with un-