I Samuel 17:51b
“When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. “
Thus concluded a drama that lasted over a month. Goliath had been taunting Israel twice a day. The philistines knew they couldn't lose and Israel knew they couldn't win. They were stuck in a hopeless place.
We also get stuck in bad places. Today's passage is meant to give us hope. I Corinthians 10:11 says, "Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." How cool that God delivered David and Israel to give us hope.
An important lesson is that deliverance can come from unexpected directions. No one knew that when David showed up he would be the instrument of deliverance. Most probably thought he would lose. Many would have tried to stop him, as his loss would mean their enslavement. However, it went on for over a month and they were hopeless and were open to the help of a youngster like David. Normal means of deliverance may work, but sometimes not. Proverbs 21:31 says, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD."
Hopeless states cause us to consider other means. The Lord uses hopelessness. Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He pleases." Tough circumstances are ways the Lord uses to change minds. We do what we can to better our circumstances. However we aren't to be bitter towards them. We've committed our lives and it's guidance to Him, so our circumstances may be just what He wants.
The Lord wants us to use our circumstances to be our teachers. "But now, LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, And all of us are the work of Your hand", (Isaiah 64:8). The potter uses different means for particular results. So God can do with trials. He knows exactly what He's doing and what results He seeks.
Our job is to be patient and trusting. James 1:4 says, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." It's possible to get in the way and thwart the lesson He seeks to teach us. It's the attitude that's important. We shouldn't be desperately seeking an out, but trusting and patient. Being in a panicked state isn't trusting.
It's natural to seek to rid ourselves of difficulties.As long it's not by any means. In Israel's history, they've sought evil alliances for help. Desperation can drive us there. There are some things that aren't options for us. It violates trust.
Goliath seemed like an impossible foe. Not with God. Lord, thank You that You can use anything for our betterment. Help us to trustingly rest regardless of our circumstances.