He Never Saw It Coming
Author: Ronald Gadberry
The day was brisk as had been the previous forty days and the big man emerging from his tent smiled at he adjusted his armor, bending first one way then the other before sliding his sword from its sheath to examine its edge. This would be the day the Greeks would take the field. So far his challenge to the Israeli army had gone unanswered and as much as he was enjoying baiting them he was just as ready to take the fight to the next level. This would be the day!
He had never expected to meet an opponent and had not been disappointed. One man in hand to hand combat against him? Even the thought was absurd. Ten men would have struggled in such a matchup. Standing over nine feet tall and tipping the scales at a mere 525 pounds he dwarfed every man on the field. His taunts were just the preamble to the thrashing he knew the Jews expected to receive. The sun had finally cleared the horizon when he walked into the valley for his last challenge.
He “woofed” at the emerging soldiers and laughed as they pretended not to hear him. “Well”, he growled. “Have you found your champion yet? The offer still stands! Oh yes, I think I’ll enjoy killing him, so send him on out. I just talked to my god Dagon, and he’s ready to do the same to your god. After that we’ll take care of the rest of you.”
Standing with his hands on his hips he scanned the opposing encampment. It was then he noticed the boy . . .
“As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere boy, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed. The Philistine ridiculed David. “Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?” And he cursed him by his gods. “Come on,” said the Philistine. “I’ll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I’ll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice.” (David) The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—He’s handing you to us on a platter!” That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40-49, MSG).
For forty days he had belittled, ridiculed and insulted God and His armies. Now God was handing it back to him pressed down, shaken together and running over. He had not expected any resistance but to send a kid with a shepherds staff and sling was over the top and Goliath, red faced and furious, lunged forward intending to skewer David with his spear. He saw an inexperienced boy but he met a mighty man of God. He never saw the rock that took him down. He never saw it coming.
Paul wrote a note to us to which we should pay close attention. He said: “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV).
Satan attempted to out-god God, so God confined him to planet Earth. Then coming Himself as the weakest of His creatures, a baby boy, defied Satan to defeat Him. Then after thirty-three years of unsuccessful attempts, the devil managed to have Him killed but was forced to watch Him defeat his greatest champion, Death.
David once asked the question: “What is man that you take note of him?” The question is legitimate for what is man? Now, having redeemed us by His blood Jesus has organized us into a church that for 2,000 plus years has faced its giants and always risen to the challenge. We may be small, (mortals battling spiritual, invisible creatures), even unable to see our enemy, but if we act in obedience to Jesus, Satan will be defeated by us and He will never see it coming.
[Pastor Ronald Gadberry and his wife, Jody, serve as pastors of Oil Center Pentecostal Holiness Church centered in an unincorporated community bound together by their church and the fire department. Ron wrote, "Hopefully we can create a big enough fire it can’t be put out. We are located 9 miles west of Ada in Oklahoma." They were elected the last week of October 2021. On a personal note Ronald wrote, "I am back in my element as a full time pastor and excited for the prospects."]
Author: Ronald Gadberry
The day was brisk as had been the previous forty days and the big man emerging from his tent smiled at he adjusted his armor, bending first one way then the other before sliding his sword from its sheath to examine its edge. This would be the day the Greeks would take the field. So far his challenge to the Israeli army had gone unanswered and as much as he was enjoying baiting them he was just as ready to take the fight to the next level. This would be the day!
He had never expected to meet an opponent and had not been disappointed. One man in hand to hand combat against him? Even the thought was absurd. Ten men would have struggled in such a matchup. Standing over nine feet tall and tipping the scales at a mere 525 pounds he dwarfed every man on the field. His taunts were just the preamble to the thrashing he knew the Jews expected to receive. The sun had finally cleared the horizon when he walked into the valley for his last challenge.
He “woofed” at the emerging soldiers and laughed as they pretended not to hear him. “Well”, he growled. “Have you found your champion yet? The offer still stands! Oh yes, I think I’ll enjoy killing him, so send him on out. I just talked to my god Dagon, and he’s ready to do the same to your god. After that we’ll take care of the rest of you.”
Standing with his hands on his hips he scanned the opposing encampment. It was then he noticed the boy . . .
“As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere boy, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed. The Philistine ridiculed David. “Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?” And he cursed him by his gods. “Come on,” said the Philistine. “I’ll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I’ll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice.” (David) The whole earth will know that there’s an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn’t save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—He’s handing you to us on a platter!” That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:40-49, MSG).
For forty days he had belittled, ridiculed and insulted God and His armies. Now God was handing it back to him pressed down, shaken together and running over. He had not expected any resistance but to send a kid with a shepherds staff and sling was over the top and Goliath, red faced and furious, lunged forward intending to skewer David with his spear. He saw an inexperienced boy but he met a mighty man of God. He never saw the rock that took him down. He never saw it coming.
Paul wrote a note to us to which we should pay close attention. He said: “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV).
Satan attempted to out-god God, so God confined him to planet Earth. Then coming Himself as the weakest of His creatures, a baby boy, defied Satan to defeat Him. Then after thirty-three years of unsuccessful attempts, the devil managed to have Him killed but was forced to watch Him defeat his greatest champion, Death.
David once asked the question: “What is man that you take note of him?” The question is legitimate for what is man? Now, having redeemed us by His blood Jesus has organized us into a church that for 2,000 plus years has faced its giants and always risen to the challenge. We may be small, (mortals battling spiritual, invisible creatures), even unable to see our enemy, but if we act in obedience to Jesus, Satan will be defeated by us and He will never see it coming.
[Pastor Ronald Gadberry and his wife, Jody, serve as pastors of Oil Center Pentecostal Holiness Church centered in an unincorporated community bound together by their church and the fire department. Ron wrote, "Hopefully we can create a big enough fire it can’t be put out. We are located 9 miles west of Ada in Oklahoma." They were elected the last week of October 2021. On a personal note Ronald wrote, "I am back in my element as a full time pastor and excited for the prospects."]