Forever forecast from heaven

I defy the ranks of Israel.  That’s what Goliath said in First Samuel 17:8-10.  

Simply put, the adversary said he challenged the ranks of Israel.  For him that meant from Saul on down.   Goliath challenged the ranks of Israel because he believed there was no champion greater than he.  There was no one that he felt he couldn’t defeat.

Imagine if Saul said this back to Goliath.  “Hey you!  You with the big mouth.  Yeah, you!  My adversary who challenges us.  You want to know what we have?  We have the head of the ranks.  Oh, you think it’s me.  Well, you’re wrong buddy.  You are so wrong.”

Then imagine Saul looking up and saying, “LORD God, this enemy, this adversary, this giant, he is all Yours.  I know You heard him.  He has challenged the ranks.  So, KING, Top Chief in Command, just tell me what You want me to do.  Lead me.  Guide me.  I, Your servant, am here waiting on You.  I acknowledge that You are in charge.  Have Your way.”

But when Goliath defied the ranks of Israel, Saul thought Goliath’s beef started with him as the head ranking official.    It never even dawned on Saul, at this point in his kingly reign, that Israel was ultimately God’s Kingdom. 

So, inadvertently, Saul and Goliath had something in common.    They both defied the ranks of Israel.  Goliath verbally spoke it.  Right up front. Saul, on the other hand, never said the words, but didn’t he convey it in his actions?   When he didn’t consult or even acknowledge the LORD God as head of the ranks of Israel, did he not challenge the legality of the order?  Did he not challenge who really was the king over Israel? Again, without even saying the words.  

And look at just one of the sentences David says when he confronts Goliath:
Then said David to the Philistine, you come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.  1 Samuel 17:45 AMP

David straight away acknowledges God as head to the giant and I can’t help but think that when God hears David acknowledge Him as head the battle is won long before it was ever fought and the forever forecast from Heaven:  God reigns and the Son shines 🙌🏽

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!