“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.” (1 Samuel 17:48).
We are nearing the end of our look at David’s fight with a giant. Today’s portion of scripture is my son’s favorite part because his young heart is prone to battles and swords and, quite frankly, a little gore. Yes, this is the portion we remember from our youth. It’s a worthy remembrance, but let us not forget our focus—Fighting to Win. If we read this text as familiar, we will miss an extraordinary single glance into one of David’s finer battle strategies for fighting the enemy. We will miss his run.
And in war, as in life, running in the right direction is everything!
Take a few moments to read 1 Samuel 17:45-54. May God bless the reading of his Word as only he can.
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It has been over a year now since that day when I lost my focus. My eyes wandered to the left for but a few brief moments. Those were moments enough to move my feet in a similar direction—off the edge of the pavement to know a tangling that would cause my fall, bloody my knees, and seriously damage my left foot. The doctor declared a six-week hiatus from almost everything. I scoffed at his diagnosis. A little elevation and a lot of ice would have me back up and running in no time. I was wrong. He was right, and twelve months later, my ankle still bears the scars of an unfocused run.
I have been a runner for over twenty years. Over time, my pace has slowed and my commitment has waned. What once was a five day a week discipline is now down to three, but running is an obedience that my body craves. So when my ankle knew injury last Spring, I worried about rediscovering my pace. Others counseled me to trade in my running for walking, and for awhile I considered their advice. But something happened long about month three of recovery. While out walking one morning, my feet found their rhythm, and my twenty year companion came home to find its rest within my pace.
It’s been hard. Every now and then my ankle twinges with a reminder of last year’s fall. I still wear an ankle support each time I hit the pavement. I suppose I always will, but I can’t deny this craving deep within. It is a craving that walking will never suffice, for these feet were…this life was…
Born to run.
As it is with my feet, so it is with my heart. God shaped it for loving. For living life at the outer edges of known realities. For moving forward to take hold of that for which he has taken hold of me. For engaging life with fearless abandon, throwing off everything that easily entangles so as to embrace the one tangling that is worthy of my hold—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A Triune tangling that I cannot fully understand, but one that I want tied to my heart for always.
Thus, I pursue the One who is mine for the grasping. Whether in seasons of plenty or in seasons of want. In moments of peace or in moments of chaos. In good health or in crippled condition. Regardless of my estate, God is worthy of my pace.
David knew about such sacred pursuing. God would call him “a man after his own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14). He spent his entire life in a full throttle run toward the one and only God who can be known. Even in moments of darkness, he always found his way home, for David’s heart was…
Born to run.
After bears. After lions. After giants. After God. Whatever the current need, David’s passion took the lead. David understood something that I think few us ever really comprehend, especially when it comes fighting the enemy. David knew that…
Running forward to a battle line’s embrace means that the sacred ground left behind will remain as it is. As sacred.
Untouched by the enemy’s advancement. Unscathed by the ravages of war. Unmarked by the bloodied swords of battle.
When David witnessed Goliath’s advancement, David ran to meet him at the battle line. In doing so, he kept Goliath’s feet from gaining any further ground within the territory that belonged to his Father.
All along, David kept his perspective (part one). He recognized the enemy’s schemes (part two). He knew that this particular battle was his to fight (part three), and he held the right stone within his grasp (part four). Well armored with the facts and with an abundance of faith, David quickly found his pace and ran hard after his Father’s victory. David knew that decisive and swift action was the best course to follow if the enemy was to know sure defeat.
So David ran. An enemy fell. And at the end of the day, Israel remained as it was—as sacred pasture for a sacred sheep.
David was born to run. So am I. So are you. Our minds, our hearts, and our feet were made for the swift conquest of an enemy who knows that the longer he is engaged, the weaker we can become. If he gets his feet onto the soil of our fear, then indeed, we will taste some blood. We will know some scathing. We will boast some scars.
I have some of those scars. I cannot run today without the reminder of yesterday’s unfocused run. I run with a twinge of pain. A thorn of sorts. But still and yet, I find my pace, and perhaps, I am a better runner because of it. I am reminded that no matter the past…no matter the falls that my life has known, I can still find my feet. I can know the thrill of some pavement beneath my pace and the wind’s caress upon my cheeks because my Father has created me for the pursuit. Pursuit of Him. Pursuit of victory over the enemy. Pursuit of everything that he has intended for my life.
Sacred living on sacred soil. That’s what I am after, and so I pray…
Keep my running, Father, with the perspective that leads me to the sacred soil of your pasture. Give me the swift and sure faith to meet the enemy where he stands. Let the wounds and the bleeds of yesterday’s battles remind me that, while scarred, I still have some fight left in me. Strengthen my feet for the pursuit, and keep my eyes focused in the right direction—in the Way that leads me home to my forever. Let the heart and feet of your servant David find a similar pulse within my frame this day, for you, alone, are worthy of my pursuit. Amen.
I welcome your comments and thoughts on this reflection (part five of six). When the study is completed, I will compile all of the comments and select one to receive a prize. May the God of David be the God who holds your pursuit this day. May you follow hard after him…the ultimate Prize and our very great Reward. You were born to run! Run well.
Copyright © May 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
This is such a good lesson, Elaine….As I was reading it, I was thinking of my youngest son. Right now he is going through a “trial” of sorts with a neighbor friend. The two have had a misunderstanding…feelings have been hurt….so when you said this:
“When David witnessed Goliath’s advancement, David ran to meet him at the battle line. In doing so, he kept Goliath’s feet from gaining any further ground within the territory that belonged to his Father.”
It made me think of his situation…I had shared with him how I think that it is important (as a Christian) to address the situation quickly, in a Godly manner, before any more harm can be done.
We sometimes in life have to swallow our pride and fear, and do what is right…even if the other person doesn’t return the kindness or accept the apology, we ultimately are only responsible for our own actions. But if you don’t run up to the battle line to face the situation head on….Satan can definitely cover too much ground in the situation…..
It is so hard to watch my children having to fight these battles, but I know these are only the beginning of the battles they will have to fight in their lives. But they, like David, have God on their side….and I pray, like David, that they will both be men after God’s own heart.
I will miss your posts while I am away…You are such an encouragement in my walk.:)
God Bless,
Amy:)
I added a few things. Just for you… I hope people don’t think I’m horrible, but these things do make me laugh. And I just find them…often…not even really searching for them. Must be a gift!
🙂
Elaine,
This is totally awesome. I found this in the translation of the “Complete Jewish Bible”
“You’re coming at me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming at you in the name of ADONAI-Tzva’ot, the God of the armies of Isra’el, whom you have challenged.” And then I did a littl research on the meaning of Adonai-Tzva’ot…it means “Almighty Commander of the invisible angelic hosts who decrees the course of history.”
One other thought…I wrote this in my notes cause in my case the most recent attack came in the pysical realm “Attacks can come against us in the natural with natural weapons, but the weapons of our warfare are not physical…they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, Inasmuch as we refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One.
Thanks for sharing the new entry. I love that you use the comparison to a runner.
♥
wifeforthejourney:
Thank you for your timely reminder of David’s faith and the opportunity we all have to run towards the battle. How well do I remember the wounds from your accident, and how you worked to overcome – thank you for your encouragement in thought, word and deed!
I love you,
~ Billy
I enjoyed this post.. Thank you.. Have a wonderful Wednesday..
Running takes passion, energy and commitment…
How much I want to “run” in my Christian walk…
I want to run with Him, run to the battle line, run and feel the breeze of Him on my face…
This school year has me mentally and physically tapped out and right now I’m missing those three main ingredients that I need to “run”…
M~
Most mornings I don my favorite sneakers and, following a devotional time, head out the door for a very fast walk. My husband says I run because he has trouble keeping up with me, but when I attempt to keep up with a bone fide runner I am quickly left in the dust! All that to say that at whatever pace we follow hard after Him, the Lord, the gait is never wearying or troublesome.
Great post, Elaine.
Kathleen
Elaine, thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to making you a part of my blog visits. I loved your blog today. What a blessing and ministry you have. I will take time and read backwards of your previous ponderings on this topic. Blessings, elizabeth
Elaine,
I, too remember looking at that sad face after you had your accident. I remember completely how limited you thought you would be. But you faced the battle head on as you always do. God is so faithful and he assures us that the battle has already been won. We just need to have the faith in him and allow him to work through us in each and every situation. Thank you Elaine for the time you take to bring us exactly what we need to read. Blessings!
I always want to focus and ran straight for my savior, and I know when I waver he will be there to guide me back to the right path… I love knowing that David ran becuase he was following Gods commands…
Thank you…
Connie
GBU
Elaine:
Thank you for your thoughts on “Embracing the Run”. This was a great word picture for me on how when my thoughts become unfocused by actions will follow.
I also loved Andreea’s posting of the scripture from the “Complete Jewish Bible” and the definition of Adonai-Tzva’ot. That was powerful. Thanks for doing the research.
Marita
Life is truly a marathon. Not a sprint and never a rest stop, just one long marathon. I get weary sometimes but your words spur me on. Thank you for your wonderful insight and encouraging words. I look forward to reading parts I, II, III, and IV.
In Him,
Nancy
I am breathless… after reading part five (can I say – I can’t wait until part 6?) 😉
“When David witnessed Goliath’s advancement, David ran to meet him at the battle line. In doing so, he kept Goliath’s feet from gaining any further ground within the territory that belonged to his Father.”
Meeting Satan, head on, with God – Satan is stopped dead in his tracks. Yes, we are born to run. Run the race of faith – with God as our coach, mentor, leader. How can we go wrong? Yes, we may be battle scarred, but what a glorious reminder of what God has done for us!
Thank you Elaine, for enhancing my faith walk with the gifts God has given you.
Thanks for helping us read outside of our familiar. I am learning alot of new things because of it.
This lesson has taught me to:
Run toward the enemy and defeat him swiftly before he gains ground on my life.
What a great message and what striking parallels. How I want to run hard after God…unencumbered & focused! How I want Him to take my misteps and teach me through them, so that I too can become a better runner!
I’ve come away with some nuggets today…thank you. = ) You bless me so.