God Determines Over-3 Words of Finality

There are times that I feel like a lonely David in an all-Philistine-world (1 Samuel 17).  There is Goliath.  There’s the Philistine army.  And there are even the people on your own team who stand ready to declare the battle “Over” right along with the Philistines.  Just look at Goliath!  Just look at that army!  Just look at you…who do you think you are, and what can you do against those odds?  It’s times like that in which the lonely Davids of this world center their thoughts on these Three Words of Finality: God Determines Over in our Three Word series.

Far more encouraging than arrogance of “It’s not over until I say it’s over,” the time-stamp of “It’s not over until the fat lady sings” or the bring-it sort of response when Star Wars’ C-3PO blurts out: “Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1” to which Han Solo replies, “Never tell me the odds.” 

Life is rarely as stoic as pride, formulaic as opera, or heroic as film. 

Life comes with its share of discouragement and discouragers, nays and naysayers ready to proclaim why you should give up.  After all, “It’s over.” 

It’s when we’re surrounded by temptations to become messiahs or mushes, that Christians dig deep and remember God is the One who says when it’s over.  The finality of God’s determinations and His eternal justice can keep Christians focused and right on track.

1 Samuel 17: 40 Then [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

Look at all the reasons to proclaim it finished, kaput…or just plain over. 

But running to the battle line with God as your defense forms the greatest triumph possible.  God Determines Over!  Knowing the finality of the battle belonging to God provides great encouragement to those of us called to be little Davids in a giant Philistine world.  Press on!

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This “three word” series is archived beginning July 22, 2017.