In 1 Samuel Chapter 17 the nation of Israel was again preparing for battle against the Philistines. In the camp there was a fierce fighter of the Philistines, Goliath, which would mock the army of Israel challenging anybody willing to fight him to solve the conflict man to man. Saul being the king, and also being head and shoulders taller than all in Israel would have been the logical choice to fight Goliath for the nation of Israel. It is more than likely that if Saul was once the man he used to be, poor in spirit with the Spirit of the living God upon him, he would have taken the challenge in the Name of the LORD. But the Scripture paints a different reaction from this once usable man of God,
He (Goliath) stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel and said to them, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Chose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall become our servants and serve us.” Again the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. (1 Samuel 17:8-11, NASB, emphasis added)
What happened to that brave man, the first king of Israel? He was now afraid. Why was Saul now afraid? Saul was afraid because the Spirit of God was not with him due to his disobedience. Saul had no confidence in discerning the leading of the Lord in his life. God was far and distant; there was no revelation from God. Not possessing the character of poor in spirit drove the once mighty Saul to being cowardly not taking up the challenge from an enemy of God. King Saul would not stand up for the Lord, there was no fight in him. The Word of God promises that we are more than conquerors and we should live victorious lives:
No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37, HCSB)
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57, Amplified)
Because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. (1 John 5:4, HCSB)
The old Saul, the Saul that was poor in spirit, would have been victorious. Where do we stand? Are we living in victory being poor in spirit and being empowered by the Holy Spirit? Or are we looking at the giants in our lives and cowering like Saul, the defeated in spirit? Once again the choice is ours. We can live the life God desires of us; living lives that a dying and searching world needs to witness. Or we can live defeated lives that will not build up the kingdom of heaven. Are you living a life worthy of the Great Commission?
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, HCSB)
That is call of the King to us today; this is our battle. Satan mocks us and defies God’s command by taunting us. What is your part in building the kingdom? Are you ready to battle?
Heed the call and fight for the kingdom of heaven through submission to His will by becoming poor in spirit. Pray right now that you do not become afraid in battle by knowing that God is in control and does the fighting for you and promises victory to those who are poor in spirit.