How the Tables Have Turned
One moment my mate was struggling and the next moment he was blessed beyond belief.
Reference: v.9 The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” (TNIV Bible)
Explore: Life can take some interesting twists and turns.
I was recently chatting to a friend who was struggling to find work. He was as a tradesman and our building industry is so fickle at the moment.
My mate had been without work for a few weeks, and when you have a family to support there is always financial pressure. There was a Christian ministry that needed some funds and his first instinct was to lock up his wallet and throw away the key!
He could easily justify staying tight-fisted; he had responsibilities and an unknown future ahead of him. However, he felt really challenged to give to this ministry, and so he obeyed.
My friend felt good as soon as he had donated some of his money, however, he felt even better when, only 30 minutes after donating, he was contacted by two businesses and given a job. Within half an hour the tables had turned.
One moment my mate was struggling with releasing a small amount of money, and then next moment he was blessed with two new income sources. He credited his new jobs to his obedience to being generous.
Application: When we are obedient to what God calls his disciples to be and do, then weeping can turn into rejoicing and emptiness can turn into blessing. No one knew this more clearly than David.
David was obedient to God and defeated Goliath, a giant of a man far superior to our humble shepherd, David. As his life progressed he found himself in more turmoil and tricky situations.
As he searched for answers and a way out he found himself standing before the sword of his original enemy, Goliath. This weapon, at one point in his life, could have brought David’s death. Now he held it in his own hands as his only weapon to protect himself.
We never know how our life will turn out. The tables can turn quickly and no one can predict the exact course of events.
However, one thing we can be assured of, is that God is there for us each step of the way. It doesn’t matter whether we feel we are facing our greatest fear or if we have the power in our own hands, God is right there beside us.
Prayer: Lord, give us Your strength to go on, no matter which way the tables are turning. May we always look to You for guidance and wisdom. Amen.
Which way are your tables turning at the moment? Where can you find God in this time?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.