Sin's Encroachment (Bulletin Article for March 5)

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well-loved stories in all the Bible. The faith that David had to face up to this mountain of a man is truly awesome. One of the facets of that story that intrigues me, though, is the gall of the giant.

Here is how David was introduced to this man: “There was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines” (First Samuel 17:23). You will recall how this giant continued to taunt the army of Israelites over and over. He even went so far as to defy the Israelites using his gods.

Have you ever seen a painting or drawing of this part of the story? Where are the main characters? In those drawings, David and the Israelite army are usually on top of a cliff on one side of a valley and Goliath and his army are on top of a cliff on the other side. Goliath is then seen yelling across this great divide. However, as you read the verse above again, notice something. Goliath is said to be “coming up from the armies of the Philistines.” Goliath was leaving his army behind and coming closer and closer to the Israelites as he made these twice-daily taunts.

It seems as though this army was so fearful of the giant, they allowed him to get closer and closer with his harsh words until he was not even concerned about bringing the army with him. Goliath was able to get ever closer to these fearful soldiers.

Is the same not true with our sin today? How often have we heard someone use the Lord’s name in vain and said nothing? The first time we heard such a thing, it probably infuriated us. But, by not saying anything, it is now everywhere in our society and it rarely, if ever, shocks us.
How often have we seen men and women wearing immodest clothing and said nothing? As we say nothing, skirts and shorts get shorter (and not just on the girls), shirts get tighter, and sin continually encroaches on us.

How often have we seen our friends going to a denomination and not said anything? As we say nothing (most likely, out of fear), they get more deeply engrossed in the false teaching of churches not found in the New Testament.

May we learn from David and simply say something. As in his time, God gives the power (see Romans 1:16).