“But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” —1 Samuel 17:34-37 NIV
David was fearless! The above passage was David’s explanation to Saul as to his confidence in bringing down the giant, Goliath. David was armed and ready with his pure heart, unyielding trust in God, and the power of his testimony!
David had a pure heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
Before he was appointed king, David gained favor in the kingdom as a mighty warrior, which began with his triumph over the giant, Goliath, who no one could defeat before him. Soon, however, Saul’s heart began to harden filling with jealousy, anger and pride (1 Samuel 18:8-9). Until eventually Saul wanted David dead and began to pursue him with a relentless furry for many, many years (1 Samuel 19).
I believe that Saul’s pursuit of David is a reflection of the way pride relentlessly pursues the pure of heart.
Its the pure heart that takes down the giant!
A giant we face today is the influence of culture. It’s deceptions, like Goliath, have moved blatantly forward and now stand at the front lines mocking and intimidating anyone who would dare take a stand for Truth.
Just as Goliath mocked and intimidated the Israelites at the battle line (1 Sam. 17: 8–11) so the influence of culture has mocked and intimated the children of God from crossing the threshold of fear and rising up in boldness and authority they inherit as heirs.
But that can change with just one stone…
David, a mere shepherd boy, who God deemed “a man after His own heart” ran boldly forward to bring down the intimidator! David’s pure heart compelled him and his unyielding faith in God strengthened him (1 Samuel 17:48)
God is raising up the pure of heart to go boldly forward in obedience crossing passionately over the threshold of fear armed with Truth and authority as a son/daughter!
I believe that just as David was drawn to the battle line, so God is drawing you!
There is an antidote to the filth and deception of culture’s influence and it’s the pure heart! The pure in heart who will simply rise and approach the battle line in fearless obedience to the One who calls them.
The pure heart can be likened to the smooth stone David picked up from the stream to hurl at the giant. Just as that stone had been smoothed out in the waters so our hearts are smoothed out in the living water of Jesus and purified by His blood (Eph.1:7).
As believers we are washed in the blood of Jesus. Its time we begin to rise up in response to the call of God on our lives and trust Him with abandon, approaching Him with confidence (Heb. 4:16), and the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10) seeking His will for our lives. As we do we will begin to see the giant of culture’s influence on our churches, schools, our nation, etc. begin to dissolve.
When I think of a pure heart and fearless obedience I see my children! They are fearless! They hear from the Lord and they go for it! Their hearts are pure and when God is telling them to do something they don’t hesitate—it’s God after all… He is bigger than any fear! Any intimidator! Any obstical! He is bigger than any giant!! So they go for it!!
And so should we.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Let’s agree together that we are going to pray. We are going to seek the Lord and intercede for our nation—for all the cultural influences and influencers—and believe that God is raising up an army of pure hearted warriors ready and willing to take a stand!
Your prayers can shake a nation and shift culture!
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” —2 Chronicals 7:14 NIV
Your destiny is God’s plan and God’s plan is your destiny.
“But now, this is what the Lord says . . . Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . . ” Isaiah 43:1b-3a NIV
I love you,
Krissy
P.S. How can I pray for you today?
