Morning Dew
Key Passage – 1 Samuel 17
Key Text – 1 Samuel 17: 26 – “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
What a man sees in his heart is potentially more powerful that what he sees with his naked eyes. The perspective of a person always affects their speech and action. Three men arrive in a piece of land, by the sea. The land is arid and nothing grows on it except a few date palms and some thorny shrubs. One man immediately says ‘it’s just a wasteland nothing grows here, there are no real trees for shelter, nothing to really eat. Let’s get out of here’. The second man says ‘what untapped resources! If I can find a way to get water here, I can turn this dry land into lush agricultural food basket to feed people across the world.’ The third man was silent for a long time and he almost chuckles whilst he starts to speak. He says, ‘gentlemen, first I want you to see where this land is. It is the middle of many seas; it seems a natural crossroads. I see people from all over the world passing through this land on their way to other parts of the world. This could be a great trade centre. A Hub. So the first man put together some scraps of wood and leaves together built a raft and sailed away. We never hear of him again. The second man moves further south and developed an agricultural paradise and food basket for the world. He developed the knowledge to bleach the arid land of the minerals and irrigate the fields and plant seeds that made the desert blossom as a rose. The last man, stayed where they were and began set up welcome centres, hotels for weary travellers. He developed meeting places for trade to happen and eventually developed one of the most modern cities in the world and one of the most prosperous.
This fictional analogy above only goes to show you the power of a man’s imagination. I am sure if you think deeply enough you would find examples of these three men abound around us. You may even know their nations and cities. But my objective is to let you know what you see invariably affects what you say and do.
David had an unusual perspective in the face of great adversity. When Goliath of Gath came and tormented Israel and Saul in the valley of Elah, the entire nation and their king were so scared of the giant. His size was ominous and foreboding. He was about 10 feet tall and had armour like a military tank. He seemed formidable and unconquerable. But enter David and he heard the giant boast and blaspheme the name of God. He looked more closely and realised that this giant was no giant at all, he redefined him as an ‘uncircumcised Philistine’! From that moment on, David had gained the upper hand. He did not see a giant that was unconquerable; he saw an uncircumcised Philistine. A man not under the covenant of God and a man condemned to death by God. So it was a simple matter to David. We all know the end of the story how David killed the Goliath of Gath by using a simple sling and stone and beheaded him with his own sword. He got a major victory for Israel that day!
But it all started with the right perspective. How do you see things? From man’s point of view or from God’s perspective? Whatever is before you, before you start trembling and running all over the place for help, stop and ask God for His view of the situation. Many times people come to me with very difficult situations and over the years, I have learnt not to allow the emotions of their request get me to operate in the flesh. I have learnt to look up to God and ask Him what His view is of the matter raised. As I receive the mind of God in the matter, I am able to speak into the situation accurately and sometimes what I say to them is not what they fear.
In Psalm 16 verse 11, David said “You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy and at your right hand side there are pleasures forevermore”.
In Psalm 34: 4-8 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
They looked to Him and are radiant and their faces shall never be ashamed – What powerful words. Look to God and get a fresh perspective on you circumstance and life.
I will lift up my heart to the hills, from where comes my help? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121:1.
What can you see?
Today turn your eyes towards the Lord. Look into His word, gaze upon His lovely face and I guarantee, you will see and hear something that changes your perspective on the difficult situation you are in.
Let’s Pray: Father God, like David grant us hearts that look to you first. Help us to always gain the heavenly perspective to our earthly situations. Father turn away our eyes from looking at worthless things and revive us in your word. Help us to gain that much needed heart of understanding. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.