Goliath is the most well-known giant in the Bible. Today,
even those totally unfamiliar with the Bible will recognize an allusion to “David
and Goliath.” We assume the simplest interpretation of the reference: God
saves the little guy and defeats the bully. The Gospel scripture introduces a
new set of bullies. The wind and the sea roar and rise to create quite a scary
situation for the disciples. Anyone who lives in the path of hurricanes or
cyclones knows well the fear seeing a set of waves rolling in. Having lived at
times in my life in Darwin, the Solomon Islands and Townsville here in
Australia I can vouch the anxiety such waves produce. Travelling on a Ferry
even in a mild storm was enough for a bad sailor like me.
Natural disasters press in like an angry Goliath, ready to
pounce on what lies in their path. David and Jesus respond to these “giants”
in similar ways. We often assume God gives David, with pint size and small
frame, the physical ability to slay the giant. We often assume that when we
cheer for David, we are cheering for God to produce a miracle in us when we
face the “giants” in our lives. What we forget is what
David and Jesus both knew. The powers they used to tackle the giants before
them are not temporary steroids or super powers. David and Jesus both know
their power comes from God.
David knows full well he cannot take on Goliath with his own
powers. That is why he is the only one among his brothers not paralysed with
fear. David knows he can take Goliath down because the strength of the Lord is
with him. Jesus calms the waters in the same way. Their faith in the power of
God allows them to slay their giants. Their faith also demonstrates to those
seized by fear and doubt that faith in God is a primary weapon in slaying
giants of all kinds, including the modern-day giants we face.
You know God’s time and our time don’t
always seem to mesh. We’re so rushed; we rarely seem able to
wait for God’s action. But when the acceptable time comes, when God acts,
we don’t always seem ready to respond! Jesus preached that the time
was now— the kingdom of God has arrived. Do we miss the message? Are
we late? What a description in Corinthians from Paul of how he sought to meld
himself and his ministry. Can you apply these descriptors to yourself? What
would your “list” look like? Paul says he and his cohorts
have had “no restriction in our affection” for the Corinthians, and calls them to “open
wide your hearts also. It is hard to live without putting conditions on our
love of others. How open are your hearts?
In Scotland, they have many superstitions surrounding boats.
In many of the northeast fishing villages, it used to be considered unlucky for
the fishermen to catch sight of any women on their way to the harbour in the
early morning. It is said that some would turn around and go home rather than
take their boat out after such a bad omen. A few years ago, a chaplain –
a woman - to a local shipbuilding yard, was asked to bless a ship before her
launching ceremony, which was performed by Her Majesty the Queen. While Her
Majesty’s part in the proceedings was an honour for those who had
commissioned the vessel, the woman minister’s contribution caused some murmurs of
amusement and wonder.
She thank God was, of course, delighted to have caused even
such a minor storm in a teacup, and took the comments in the spirit of good humour
in which they were offered. She had a deep respect for the sea, alongside which
she was born and had always lived close by the sea. The power and energy of
water is immense and commands respect. She had witnessed the calm mirror like
surface of the river and the sea becoming a boiling cauldron without warning.
So she understood how a tired out Jesus could sleep easily in the stern of a
boat, cradled, rocked, and nurtured by the sea. From such a slumber, it seems
natural that he, so at one with the elements, should be able to rebuke them and
bring calm. This is the same Lord, so in tune with us, children of his
creation, that he brings the same peace into our stormy lives. Jesus, who
entered the boat “just as he was,” continues to demonstrate his
sufficiency for us just as he is— at one with all creation.
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