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When no other Israelite would go against Goliath, David stepped up. His brothers were trembling at the threats; David became indignant that someone would defy Israel, God’s name and God’s people.
However, when David began to inquire about fighting the giant, he was accused of seeking his own glory.
“When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”” ~ I Samuel 17:28
The man after God’s own heart – conceited or wanting God to shine?
A few verses later, we get our answer…
“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”” ~ I Samuel 17:45-47
When you think of the story of David and Goliath, who do we credit with the victory? Our first thought is likely David. We recognize the person who has tasted the victory and can neglect to give honor and glory to the one who made the victory possible.
Let’s take a moment to hail the true conquering hero – the One who grants us victory by his name.
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There are many benefits to spiritual training and many ways to go about it. It is an active process that requires commitment and dedication. Even the decision to undergo spiritual training is a first step to being able to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. However, if you don’t get adequate sleep, it becomes hard to run any race or even go through spiritual training.
In Darryl Tippens book, Pilgrim Heart, he mentions rest or sleep as one of the spiritual disciplines. I couldn’t agree more. I can’t focus as clearly, run as far, or persevere as long if I have not had adequate rest. My attitude is affected, my stamina, and even my physical health suffer when I have not gotten the sleep I need.
Sleep, for some of us, can be hard to come by. Take a moment to reflect on rest as a part of your spiritual training. Make sleep a priority at least one night this week. Other things can wait until tomorrow. Rest is another vital part of our spiritual training and achieving victory.