Facing Goliaths & Storms

1 Samuel 17      Mark 4:35-41                                                            Rev. Todd B. Freeman

Bethany Presbyterian Church, Dallas                                                           June 22, 2003

One of my favorite biblical stories when I was young was the story of David and Goliath. It’s the ultimate “rooting for the underdog” story. And since I was such a small kid, still only 4’11” going into the ninth grade, everyone seemed like a Goliath to me.

Later, as a teenager going through adolescence, I remember liking the story of Jesus calming the stormy sea and rescuing the terrified disciples.

Both stories are dramatic narratives depicting God’s powerful intrusion into the human arena to help the faithful overcome bad odds and tough times. In the case of David and Goliath, it’s victory over the forces of injustice and oppression (i.e. the Philistines). In the case of the boat on the stormy sea, it’s victory over fear and chaos. These two stories have a lot say to us, personally, and as the church.

Looking first at our Old Testament passage let me set the scene and review the story of David and Goliath. It takes place in the lower hill country of Judah, in territory disputed by the Philistines, whose kingdom was along the Mediterranean Sea. The two armies have gathered across a valley; but before the battle is fought, the Philistine champion Goliath strides out and - in mocking tones - challenges Israel to send out someone to duel him. Both he and his armament are described in terrifying detail. His words and appearance have the desired effect, and no Israelite accepts the challenge.

Then David is introduced. David is the youngest son of Jesse, who lives near Bethlehem. David has several brothers fighting in King Saul’s army. But David is too young for battle so he stays behind to take care of his father’s flock of sheep. Jesse sends David to the camp with food for his brothers. David arrives just as the armies are setting up the battle lines and leaves the provisions with the “keeper of the baggage” (v. 22). [Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a place where we could dump off our excess baggage?!]

David runs after his brothers just in time to hear Goliath issue his daily challenge and to see the Israelites tremble in fear. As the soldiers talk about what has happened, David becomes more and more disturbed, both with Goliath, for defying “the armies of the living God” (v. 26), and with the Israelites for their lack of courage. At this point in the story the reader is to learn that being timid in the face of oppression and injustice is not the appropriate course of action!

When his brothers learn that David is upset with the situation they tell him that his duties lie back at home with the sheep (v. 28). (Have you ever been told to mind your own business?) This is where we learn that injustice and oppression are everyone’s business.

But David’s talk has also reached the ears of the king, who calls him in for a visit. David valiantly volunteers to fight Goliath himself and, when Saul objects, argues that he is indeed capable. David’s reasons for fighting and his confidence are the same: this Philistine has defied the armies of the living God, and “The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine” (v.37) King Saul finally agrees to David’s proposal and places his very own armor on young David. Again, as in the case of Goliath, the armament is described in much detail.

The scene is meant to look comical, however, for the tools of traditional warfare are too much too large and too cumbersome for the young shepherd. At this point in the story we are meant to learn that traditional methods of battling one’s opponents are not always what is called for when fighting injustice and oppression!David couldn’t be like someone else, he had to be himself and work within his own means. We, too, have to use the tools and ways familiar and common to us – to be true to who we are.

So taking only his shepherd’s staff and his sling with five stones, he approaches the giant. Goliath is insulted by the appearance of such an unworthy opponent, cursing David, and vowing to feed his flesh to the birds and the wild animals. But David must make his speech as well, and it is a very memorable one: “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied” (v.45).

Now comes the dramatic climax of the story. As the enraged Philistine charges, David also rushes forth, takes out one of the stones, slings it with all his might, and it hits the giant squarely on his forehead. We’re not told for sure if Goliath died when this stone hit him, or later when David cut off his head, but those details don’t really matter – the fact is, Goliath – the mighty symbol of oppression and injustice, and of defying God – is dead. The Philistine army immediately flees with the Israelites in hot pursuit. The aftermath of the story is that King Saul takes David into his royal court.

A major point of this story back in the times of ancient Israel was to glorify David and to legitimize his introduction into Saul’s court, and therefore pave the way for his own future kingship. This is a story filled with political and nationalistic pride.

Another central theme of this vivid story is the triumph of the weak over the strong, especially the righteous weak over the unrighteous powerful. This, of course, is one the most persistent and important themes in the Bible as a whole, a reversal of fortunes, that the last shall be first. But this is not a simple story of the triumph of human skill and bravery over brute strength. More than a battle story about David and Goliath, this is ultimately a story about God. We are left with a powerful image of God’s opposition to and eventual victory over injustice and oppression.

            As with every biblical narrative, it is important to ask how this story might apply to your own personal life? The traditional application of this particular story is still valid:

• What are the goliaths of injustice and oppression that you face in life?
• What strength and courage can you gain in your situation after hearing this Bible story?

If the story of David and Goliath reflects God’s triumph over injustice and oppression, then the story of Jesus calming the storm reflects God’s triumph over the chaos and fears of life. There is a great deal of imagery in this story. Throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis 1, the sea often represents the place where chaotic forces hostile to God dwell. This story, then, portrays Jesus as possessing the same power as God over these forces.

One of the earliest symbols used to represent the Christian church was as boat with a cross as its mast. The earliest interpretation of this story, then, was that God would be with and protect the church and the followers of Jesus from the chaos and danger of the world around them - in particular, the Roman Empire.

In a similar vein, the personal application of this story leads to similar questions:

• What are the storms of chaos and fear that you currently face in life?
• What strength and courage can you gain in your situation after hearing this Bible story?

I know that each one of us can find parallels in our own lives, for no one is exempt from goliaths of injustice, and storms of fear and chaos. For as in both these stories, God does not promise to keep us free from giants and storms – from the unfairness and tragedies of life – but to be with us when we do indeed face them. After all, it was Jesus who instructed the disciples to cross the sea in the first place.

I hope you will leave today reflecting upon these things as they apply to your own life. This may help: I have a magnet that has on it a wonderfully appropriate quote, “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.”

Today, however, I also want us to reflect upon these things from a corporate - a congregational - standpoint.

• What are the goliaths of injustice and oppression, and the storms of chaos and fear that we face as Bethany Presbyterian Church?

For years it was one of mere survival, like when membership was down to 30 people six years ago and it looked like closing these sanctuary doors was a very real possibility. Financial issues remain a concern.

Throughout the last 40 years, this congregation has squarely faced a variety of justice issues, especially as they applied to inclusion and human equality, whether based on race, gender, social status, sexual orientation, or theological perspective.

Thank goodness there have also been times of peace and quiet.

Just in the past week, however, it looks like storm clouds are beginning to build again – not so much for us in particular, but for all Presbyterian churches who are struggling for the full rights and privileges of all its members. There are a couple of things that we, as an inclusive “More Light” congregation need to be aware of.

The first involves another More Light congregation in Texas, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Austin. This past week their pastor, Jim Rigby, had charges brought against him by the same person who has been filing them all across the country over the past year. Jim is charged with willingly ordaining a lesbian woman whom he knew was in a partnered relationship, thereby violating our church constitution’s “chastity in singleness” law.

I’m a bit surprised at the filing of this case, however, because a recent similar case involving the pastor at Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati found that the pastor is not guilty, because a pastor is not the one responsible for the ordination process, but rather the session of the church. Most likely, then, this case against Jim Rigby will be dropped by Mission Presbytery. Though it has never happened in the history of our denomination, to my knowledge, perhaps a case will be brought against their entire Session. That indeed has implications for us.

The other issue involves that same pastor from Mount Auburn church, the Rev. Stephen van Kuiken. Charges were also filed against him for performing same-sex marriages. Speaking out of both sides of its mouth, our denomination has said that it’s OK to perform a blessing of same-sex holy unions, or Services of Commitment, but that they cannot be “considered” the same thing as a marriage. Van Kuiken insisted that they are the same thing. The church court found him guilty of this charge and instructed him not to do them again. He did.

Last week, in a very hurried and shocking decision, the Presbytery of Cincinnati not only removed van Kuiken as the pastor of his church, they removed him entirely from membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In other words, he was defrocked and stripped of his ordination because of his personal convictions concerning the rights of others, as he felt guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Folks, we should be concerned, deeply concerned of this action. No longer, it seems, is mutual forbearance and freedom of conscience on certain issues of faith and life a given. No longer is it safe to diverge from the majority’s theological understanding and biblical interpretation of issues that still haven’t been fully resolved in our denomination.

How ironic that just last week Canada announced that it will push through legislation granting same-sex marriages. I just learned on Friday that Great Britain, with the backing of the Queen of England and Prime Minister Tony Blair, will also pursue the same course of action.

Yet right here in our denomination we have just defrocked a man of good character and strong faith for his convictions concerning equal rights for all people. A visionary has become a martyr. We should all be very concerned.

And the list goes on and on. We are indeed facing goliaths of oppression and injustice and storms of chaos and fear – both from without and from within. Like those disciples in the storm tossed boat, is it not right that we should now ask, “God, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Perhaps, during these perilous times, we need to listen carefully to Jesus’ reply, “Peace! Be still! Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

As we continue to face issues of injustice and oppression, let’s remember the story of David and Goliath. As we continue to face times of chaos and fear, let’s remember the story of Jesus calming the storm. At the very least, let us remember that “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.” For God is with us!

Amen.