Where is God’s Man or Woman?

Two weeks ago my book Fearless by Faith, written with Brother Andrew, was published. Not everything we wrote made it into the final text. The following is one of the devotions we had to cut. I hope you will find it encouraging.

“I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man that we may fight together” (I Samuel 17:10).

What prevents us from living fearlessly for God?

There is absolutely no doubt who had to go fight Goliath. Everyone knew it was Saul. He was the people’s champion. It made perfect sense. But where was the champion of Israel? He was afraid. He was hiding!

Here are Saul’s qualifications:

• He was a head taller than anyone else in Israel.
• The Lord chose him to be Israel’s king.
• Apparently, he began his reign as a humble man.
• Samuel had thoroughly instructed him on the Lord’s expectations of a king.
• He was surrounded by men of valor whose hearts were touched by God
• His son Jonathan was loyal and a valiant warrior.
• He was equipped with the necessary armor and weapons.

Look at the list (you can read it for yourself in 1 Samuel 10:23-26) and you have to wonder how Saul could possibly fail. This was the battle Saul was born to fight. He had every advantage but he failed miserably because he lacked character. Saul was a man of the people, not a man of God.

Character is what a person is when he or she is alone, in the dark, lying in bed. What does a person think about when sleep won’t come? Does he pray? Does she scheme? Where does his heart take him? You may not be able to read a person’s mind, but his or her behavior will reveal the true character. Character is forged in secret and revealed in crisis.

The personal character of Saul and of David showed up on the battlefield for all to see. Saul failed the character test by failing to obey God. Meanwhile, David’s character was built up as he fulfilled his responsibility of caring for his father’s sheep. What David did with the sheep in secret no one knew. Oh, but God knew!

Saul’s weakness of character reflected the nation’s weakness as well. Israel lacked godly character. What Israel desperately needed was a man of God, not a man out of sorts with God.

The world is constantly looking for a man or a woman who will step up and provide real leadership. We long for someone who will take charge and solve the world’s problems. In country after country, we see politicians make bold promises, offer solutions, and inevitably disappoint the masses.

Give me a man! God answered that prayer. He gave the world that Man, and they crucified Him.

God continues to answer that prayer by giving to the world people in whom Jesus lives. Any Christian, man or woman, can be God’s answer to the world’s need, because the answer is Jesus, who lives in those who have received Him. If you let Him, He will forge your character. Then you can be Jesus to a desperate world.

For Reflection: How are you showing Jesus to the world around you (your family, your neighbors, in your workplace)?

You can order your copy of Fearless by Faith here.