I Samuel 17:11 “When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.”
I Samuel 17:31-33 … 37 “And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth … David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee”
It is right to expect that the older leaders among us provide an ample source of faith, hope, and inspiration. Especially when the stakes are high, the mindset of the masses is pivotal to success.
Sadly though, sometimes our leaders fail us, and their lack of faith, hope, and inspiration sap our spirit and dampen our determination. Their skepticism, criticism, cynicism, and doubt are an infectious impediment. King Saul was creating such a culture for God’s people, and his leadership was causing them to fall short of the Lord’s plan for them.
Yet, things are not lost when the leaders stumble in this way. The younger members of our community can step into the gap and wrestle the situation back to hope-propelled success. That is exactly what David did for an otherwise doubtful population.
Jesse’s youngest son stepped up and convinced their lethargic leader that there was a cause! David’s words were well rehearsed and well-reasoned. They were enough to tip to scales in this critical situation, providing a springboard for success against the Philistines.
Yes, the leader should have propelled the people towards victory, guided by faith, hope, and inspiration. Yet, sometimes is takes someone less steeped in the many reasons why failure is likely to expect the impossible. Instead of being distracted by worldly limitations, their spirits are boosted by the knowledge that nothing is too hard for God.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO POSITIVELY SHAPE THEIR CULTURE IN SPITE OF LOOMING CHALLENGES. The stakes are high for our society today, and we need a source of faith, hope, and inspiration. Whether you are younger or older, be that source!
