The Army Man

I Samuel 17:10 says, “And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day: give me a man, that we may fight together.”

Goliath, being over nine feet tall, was easy to see on the battlefield. For forty days, he called this challenge out to the army of Israel. Saul and his men were out fighting the Philistines and could hear old Goliath strutting and boasting. Saul himself was head and shoulders taller than the men in his army. He was leading his men in battle. I Samual 17:11 states, “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” It was obvious that Saul should be the man to face Goliath. Saul had good reason to fear, for the Lord was not with him anymore. He had not obeyed the command of the Lord to completely destroy Amalek (I Samuel 15:3). Samuel actually finished the job by taking a sword and hewing King Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal (V. 33).

I wish Samson could have tangled with Goliath. Samson would have won easily before the Spirit of the Lord left him and he became as other men. I dare say, David could have taken Samson out after Delilah was done with him.

When it comes to the bottom line, God doesn’t need any man to take out an army. What a blessing that a boy like David allowed God to be his strength. We read in Zechariah 4:6, “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Hosts are armies.) In I Samuel 17:46, David spoke of his faith that the Lord would give victory not only over Goliath, but over the whole Philistine army. Both came to pass.

A good army man must believe in victory and press for it without fear. In I Samual 17:47 and 48, David states that the “battle is the Lord’s.” He then runs toward the whole army to meet Goliath. This was the beginning of the victory. With Goliath gone, the Philistines fled and Saul’s army pursued. Fear was gone.

Saul’s son, Jonathan, was another army man who defied fear. I Samuel 14:6 says, “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” They went up and slew 20 Philistines. After that the Philistines feared, there was a great earthquake, and the Philistines turned on each other. They destroyed themselves.

Another great army man was William Booth (April 10, 1829 to Aug. 20, 1912). He was an early Methodist preacher. His heart was broken for the down-and-out people of the streets in England. He and his wife Catherine began the Salvation Army, which is still alive today. His motto was “Get them saved, keep them saved.” He feared not to leave the Methodist Church and follow God’s leading. Victory followed. Thousands are still being saved.

As children we sang, “I’m in the Lord’s Army.” God still uses army men today. The war that is heating up in Israel today could easily be the drawing of all nations against Israel spoken of in Zechariah 14 and Revelation 19. Jesus will come on a white horse along with His white horse army. This army is His saints. The victory is ours! I want to ride in that battle. Hope to see you there, Army Man!