Retracing My Steps in Israel: A Pilgrimage of the Heart~Part 6

Continuing Day 2...Onto Azekah, which is south of our last site-Beth Shemesh.

When you think Azekah, think David & Goliath!

This is the beginning of our climb to Azekah, an intense shorter but heart racing hike(if you weren't in the best shape, like me). This hill set the standard to how our following hikes were compared, such as, Masada is Azekah times 3 or something like that. I personally think Masada was Azekah times 10. (Stay tuned for Masada--that particular climb was the most significant for me spiritually while in Israel.) The picture does not paint the sweat and laborious breathing. Yvonne, drink your Gatorade and breath!

Made it! Mike Slayden (his back is seen in the picture as he teaches about the significance of this place. We are looking down at the Valley of Elah where David killed Goliath. I think Mike might be pointing to Bethlehem, where David, a boy of maybe 13 traveled from to bring food to his brothers and see how they were.)

This is a great view of the Valley of Elah. Picture the Philistines on the hill opposite the one we are on and the Israelites camping out on Azekah and in the Valley of Elah. Almost in the top center part of the picture, where the color is golden, is a creek bed where David may have retrieved his 5 smooth stones. It was surreal seeing the reality of the place. The story of David and Goliath that I learned 30 some years ago, wasn't just a story. It really happened! God's power is just as real!

1 Samuel 17 was wonderful to meditate on this morning-

Saul and the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

So much for a fearless leader.

Why do I become afraid?

Their fear was humanly legitimate-

Goliath was 9'9" tall

His armored weighed in at 124 lbs

The end of his spear was a whopping 15 lbs

(I can barely lift my 10lbs weights, let alone chuck it at someone.)

They had forgotten who their God was.

It was the Philistine god-Dagon.

He was and is Yahweh, our Covenant Making, Covenant Keeping God.

David-a boy

He came from Bethlehem to bring food to his brothers.

Fear is contagious and had infiltrated the Israelite camp.

Fresh on the scene, David's mind was fixed on God, not self.

The name of God and His renown was at the forefront of his mind.

Who defies the army of the Living God?

David tells Saul, "your servant will fight him (Goliath)."

Three times people say David can't do it...you are only a boy.

Didn't use traditional weapons for war, used what he was skilled with-

5 smooth stones

This shepherd had confidence in the power of God.

Do I have that type of confidence?

Do I know and believe and see this power of God?

So confident that he RAN toward Goliath to kill him.

David's experience as a shepherd, protecting his sheep and killing a lion and bear, had prepared him for this moment in time. He knew the Lord would use his skills and experience to bring victory! He didn't have to wear what all the other warriors did nor did he give into the pressure or honor of wearing Saul's armor.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with the sward and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

1 Samuel 17:45

Do I come against my enemy, Satan, the father of lies, in the name of the LORD Almighty?

Jehovah-saboath

The LORD of Hosts

The One who rules over all angelic hosts

His name brings deliverance

Victory

I am never alone in my battles

God is ruler over all the armies

Do I really believe God's -NAME- is powerful or doI live in such a way that it is just a name?

The fact that David ran toward his enemy was bolded in the text to me today. Do I run toward my enemy believing God has given me victory?