Killing Giants, Stilling Storms

Yesterday we heard about David killing the giant Goliath and Jesus stilling the storm on the Galilee. One commentary I read presented Goliath as the underdog who rose up against the mighty power of God. Hmmm. What a different perspective. Wasn't the storm the underdog as well? What if we were to read these narratives from that point of view? What if we were to stand in faith from that point of view?

When we read about David and Goliath, I venture to say that the film that plays in our imaginations puts David as the underdog against the Philistine Goliath ... all 9'6" of him. From a human point of view his gigantic size, his undefeatable strength, his taunts that deflate Israel's courage ... blocks God from their view. All they see is Goliath. Isn't this true of the storm as well?

When we read about the storm ... the wind and the waves threatening the boat that carries Jesus and the disciples, some of them seasoned fisherman very capable with boat and oar and sail ... when we read about that storm, what do we see in our mind's eye? Again, I venture to say it's the gigantic size of the storm, its undefeatable strength, its taunts that deflate the disciples courage ... and blocks their view of God ... who is asleep in the stern!

So, the questions that kept nagging me: What would it be like if I decided to stand up to the giants in my life with faith instead of fear? What would it be like if I decided to look with faith to the mighty power of my Lord ... who may seem to be asleep as he steers my life's course ... instead of fearing the storm that threatens to sink me? What would it be like for the church to respond this way? Faith instead of fear.

Jesus asked, "How can you be so afraid? After all you've seen, where is your faith?"

David by Bernini

Where is our faith? From what perspective do we see the giants and storms of life ... which, by the way, may be without or within? We talk about God being All-mighty. Perhaps, our work is to begin believing it ... day-by-day, moment-by-moment taking a step of faith toward confidence in God to take down our Goliaths and still our storms. Then, with faith like David we can take stock of our resources, utilize all God has given us, and say, "I stand armed in the Name of the Eternal One, the Lord God of all the armies of heaven."

One smooth stone of faith will do it.