17 And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.” 19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. 21 And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. 22 And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. 23 As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. ~ 1 Samuel 17:17-23
I recently had a conversation with my cousin, who describes himself as a Hebrew Israelite, and his wife, who is a self-proclaimed Muslim. They both deny the Godhood and the deity of Jesus. They both tried to argue from different standpoints why salvation and Jesus don’t make any sense. My cousin argued from the standpoint that a God who flooded the earth wouldn’t allow man to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. She argued that if Jesus was God and died for our sins, then there would be no more sin in the world, and all people would be perfect.
So, I did as my father taught me and gave an answer for each and every question they had using Scripture and not just my own opinions. After I gave my answers, I was told by my cousin’s wife that it didn’t make any sense, and no one died for anybody. So, I simply asked her what the Quran says about Mohammed. Does it not say that he didn’t know what Allah would do with him or them? Does it not say that Mohammed died and was buried? She was reluctant to answer my questions, but she agreed and answered. I then asked about Jesus. I asked if the Quran does not testify that He went into Heaven alive. To which she then had to concede and say it does. I then posed one last question, “If Jesus was taken into heaven alive and Mohammed died and was buried, why would I follow the dead man instead of the man taken into Heaven alive?”
She wasn’t a fan of this question, so my cousin attempted to come to her defense, stating that Mohammed knew things he shouldn’t’ve known, and therefore, you have to at least wonder. She then chimed in, saying that that was proof from God. I then pointed out that that isn’t actually evidence of anything, as there are writings from ancient Asia that describe brain surgery that modern scientists don’t understand how they knew these things. Just because someone is given knowledge doesn’t mean that they received that knowledge from God. She then proceeded to tell me that I need to let people believe what they want to believe and stop trying to convert people.
I didn’t go to my aunt’s house looking for a conversation with my cousin and his wife. In fact, I didn’t even know they were there. I went there to try to find something to fix my phone with, but instead of finding anything to fix my phone, I found myself in a debate with my cousin, his wife, and the lady who cooks for their family. It doesn’t matter where you are or what your plans are, sometimes, the Devil will try to shake up your faith, and if you haven’t prepared you’re faith will be shaken.
David didn’t go to fight Goliath; David went to bring food to his brothers. But he had prepared in private, so when it came time to face the giant, he was ready. Our lives involve battles upon battles upon battles. Some will be simple and easy; others will be three giants against one of you. And if you’ve prepared in private, you’ll be able to defend yourself against each giant that comes your way. Not only will you be able to defend yourself against their attacks, you will be able to attack back and shake the giants who attacked you.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Shake The Giants.