Story of the Day for Wednesday October 12, 2011
Spring to Life and Kick Their Can
When the Israelites saw the man, everyone ran away in great fear.
1 Samuel 17:24
We consider some people brave by the very nature of their occupations: smoke jumpers, police officers, firefighters, babysitters.
And, standing atop this list are soldiers.
So, for an entire army to spot a single combatant, and scatter in a panic seems a little peculiar. But that is exactly what the army of Israel did when Goliath strutted out and challenged them to a duel – winner take all.
A shepherd boy with five smooth stones and a slingshot stepped forward to challenge the giant. And we all know the story from the standpoint of what David did to Goliath. But do you remember what David did to the army of Israel that day?
The soldiers of Israel watched as David marched up to this fearsome warrior, and opposed him “in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
When David stood triumphant over Goliath, the soldiers of Israel sprang to life. They let out a roar and surged after the frightened Philistine army. The army of Israel chased the Philistines and kicked their can all along the Shaaraim road from Judah to Gath.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, devastating our naval fleet in the Pacific, they had a twofold objective. They not only wanted to cripple our naval power but also to crush the American resolve to wage war.
The Japanese high command, however, was completely unaware that we had a secret weapon.
The “secret weapon” was an artist from a small town in Vermont. Norman Rockwell painted pictures of patriotism and bravery. He painted pictures of “Four Freedoms” – those liberties that are the hallmark of our nation. He painted the American spirit.
Fueled by the vision Rockwell portrayed for us, Americans responded. “Remember Pearl Harbor” was not a discouraging reminder of a humiliating defeat. Instead, it became an echo of an earlier cry, “Remember the Alamo!” when a few brave Americans stood bravely against overwhelming odds.
The power of an artist to inspire a nation was the one weapon for which the Japanese military had no defense.
Your brothers and sisters in Christ may be impressed by your talents, but they are not inspired by them. They are inspired by your courage.
Make no mistake about this: when you face your Goliaths in the name and power of the Lord, the greatest victory will not be yours; it will be the victories of all those who have found courage from your example.
(copyright by climbinghigher.org and by Marty Kaarre)
Story of the Day--climbinghigher 