The Washington times., 1903-08-08
AUGUST g.

and brass. had the field TO himself. None
in Sauls army felt equal to cope with
the champion OF Philistia The army OF
Israel seemed inert and morally par
alyzed. But finally a new kind of SOL
der came into the camp of Israel. He
came not 10 fight. but TO cheer his
brethren and 20 provide for their TEN
poraI needs. bringing gifts of food from
their father. He knew little about the
usages and weapons of physical warfare
but he did know God and His power.
He knew that Israel as a people stood
for God and his honor and truth. He
knew also that God would not desert
his own people when he was trusted in
the right way. He was but a shepherd
lad. but he felt invincibIe while relying
on the strength of the true and living
God. The keynote of his life was faith
in God. He felt astOnished that no
one on the side of Israel was ready to
meet the ungodIy and blasphemous
braggart on the side Of Philistia. He
resolved to volunteer himself to meet
the huge champion of worldliness. He
knew that faith in God was the victory
that OvercOmes the world. Feeling that
God was with him and his people, he
was confident that God would help him
to STAY the Infamous defer Of his name
God often thus shames His own peo-
pie by raising up some simple cham
pion of faith outside of the ranks, as 1t
were, of regularly organized agencies
of service and spiritual warfare. David,
in order to get the chance to meet the
giant. had first TO conquer both the op-
position Of his own brother-a regular
soldier-and the unbelief of Saul, the
King. His older brother ridiculed
David's ability to meet the giant. and
even impeached his motives in coming
TO the camp and in desiring TO fight
This is often the greeting that the best
disposed recruits to the forces of God
first get in their desire TO do their part
in overcoming the kingdom of Satan in
the world. Their zeal and services are
not always appreciated by those IN
power in the church on earth. Moody.
the modern David. was so met when he
first began TO work for God.
Saul when he looked at the young
enthusiast. said, You are too weak and
inexperienced; you cannot whip this
giant"
But David. in pleading with the king
for permission to try, gave a sound rea-
son for the hope that was in him. to wit.
what God had done in helping him defend
his flock against the attacks of a bear
and a lion. David's thought was this:
that as God had aided him in Staying the
enemy of his own flock so he would IN
aiding him to Stay the enemy of his
Gods own flock. which was the Israel
itish people. David reasoned from COD )
past goodness, help, mercy, and grace
TO him in lower thing that he would
do the same in a higher thing. II God
helps US 10 overcome one sin or trouble.
or meet successfully one crisis Of our
lives at one time. that fact is a pledge
that under like circumstances God Will
do so again.
Gods goodness and mercy in the past
teach US not 10 be doubling or uabeliev-
ing for the future.
David's argument and confession Of
faith al last melted Saul's opposition and
even kindled his own faith and hope, 80
he said: Go, and the Lord be with you.
If the true champion OF faith Will con-
tinue to show a humble gracious and
firm spirit, Gods doubling and resisting