Over Our Cowardice & Conceit

Let’s play a quick word association game. When I say balloons, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Colorful? Festive? Fun? Most of the time when we see balloons we’re happy. Even if they’re not for us, right? Balloons belong at celebrations.

But we also have another kind of balloon all over around these parts. Hot-air balloons. What words come to mind when you think of hot-air balloons? They’re big and colorful. They allow people to enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunsets our state has to offer.

Now, not everyone wants to get in a hot-air balloon. My wife would love it. And I would be praying for it to be over as soon as possible. I’m scared of heights. But that doesn’t mean when I see a hot-air balloon, I’m afraid. Nobody today looks at a big balloon in the sky and thinks: there’s trouble. Danger.

Nobody today, that is. There was a time that big balloons in the sky made a man’s blood run cold. During World War I, the German army relied heavily on hydrogen-filled balloons. Being able to fly over your enemy and see where their forces were concentrated was crucial. Wherever the Germans sent out these hydrogen-filled balloons they were supported by heavy anti-aircraft artillery. Planes pursued anyone that came poking around. Attacking these balloons was a death wish.

But that didn’t scare off Frank. His commander said: “No one has [his] sheer contemptuous courage. He was an excellent pilot and probably our best flying marksman. Frank was the perfect combination.”

On Sept. 12th, 1918, Frank shot down his first balloon. Over the next 17 days, he scored 17 more aerial victories, before being killed in action. Frank’s courage in combat—though short-lived—made him the first aviator to win the Medal of Honor. Many say Frank’s courage is inspiring.

But it doesn’t inspire me to get into a plane and be as fearless as Frank. And perhaps, that’s how you feel about the story of David and Goliath. You know what David did. You know how the battle ended. But the whole thing leaves you more impressed with David than inspired.

What we need to see today in the story of David and Goliath is something historical and spiritual. These are real events. But this demonstration of bravery ought to open our eyes and have a real impact on how we approach our fears and see our lives. The story of David and Goliath allows us to understand spiritual cowardice, conceit, and courage.

The cowardice is pretty easy to pinpoint. (1 Sm. 17:11) On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. What was so terrifying? Goliath’s challenge. (1 Sm. 17:8-9) Choose a man to fight me. If he kills me, we will become your subjects. But if I win, you’ll serve us. Of course, the reason Saul and all the Israelites were terrified wasn’t because of the pressure of a mano a mano rumble. They were dismayed and terrified because of what they were up against. Goliath was well over 9 feet tall, nearly covered from head-to-toe in bronze armor. (1 Sm. 17:5-6) Bronze helmet, coat of armor, greaves that went from above the ankle to the kneecap.

Bronze was nearly impenetrable. Goliath was a wrecking ball with a big mouth. More tank than man. (1 Sm. 17:16) For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath came down into the valley where the battle lines were drawn and (1 Sm. 17:10) defied the armies of Israel. Eventually, the men of Israel had Goliath’s whole speech memorized and (1 Sm. 17:24) just seeing Goliath they all fled from him in great fear.

And that we understand. Goliath was bigger and stronger than anyone in Israel. Israel’s fear of Goliath was logical. And so are many of your fears. Think about something you’re afraid of happening in your life. Got something? Is it logical?

Many times, the root of your fear runs deeper than you initially realize. Let me use my fear of heights as an example. I’m afraid of heights. But it runs deeper than that. I’m not afraid of being up high, I’m afraid of falling. Not because I’m afraid of dying, but I’m more afraid of surviving and being badly hurt and helpless.

Poverty. Poor health. Having your freedoms taken away. Having to rely on other people for help. Having no one to rely on. Being disrespected or despised. Failure. Rejection. Death. We all have different fears.

Each of our fears shares this in common with Saul and all of Israel. We’re afraid because, deep down, we think we’re on our own. And we know that we aren’t big, strong, smart, clever or connected enough to be victorious in every single battle. Spiritual cowardice on this battle field and in our lives sticks out like a sore thumb.

The spiritual conceit is not as easy to spot, perhaps. But it bellows for our attention. Look at Goliath. Look at how he’s described. Look at how he (1 Sm. 17:37) defies the army of the living God. (1 Sm. 17:43-44) He cursed David by his Philistine gods. ‘Come here and I’ll make you carrion!’ Goliath’s issue was not a lack of confidence, was it? He couldn’t even begin to imagine how David could defeat him.

But we must understand why Goliath was so confident. He had the experience, the equipment, and the brute strength to tear David limb from limb. Goliath was confident because as he compared himself to what he was up against, he just knew he was going to win. He had every physical advantage. He even visualizes his victory. (1 Sm. 17:44) I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals.

Unfortunately, we understand that, too. Because in moments when we are facing something difficult, we look to the same kind of things for encouragement. Our experience. Our material advantages. Our own power—whether physical, mental, social, or financial.

It’s critical for us to see that spiritual cowardice and conceit are much more alike than they may appear. Cowardice and conceit are both by-products of too much navel gazing. They may draw vastly different conclusions, but they share the view: the battle is up to me!

Compare that with David’s approach. David was not a physically imposing figure. He didn’t have the battle experience or equipment that Goliath did. But look at what he said to Goliath. (1 Sm. 17:45-47) You come against me with sword 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. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands. After I’m done with you, the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. And everyone here will know it is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. You know how it went from there. A single smooth stone felled fearsome Goliath and the Israelites routed the Philistines that day. But that triumph was temporary. The Philistines continued to wage war against Israel all the days of Saul and during much of the reign of David. Yet, what David said is true & lasting. Historical & spiritual. The battle is the Lord’s and it is not by the sword or the spear that the Lord saves.

This is why we can have confidence as we approach the battlefield. The battle is the Lord’s and he does not rely on the things we do. The battle is the Lord’s and he will not be defeated.

The Lord does not concern himself with things like experience, material things, or mere mortal flesh. He can and does use those things—but he doesn’t rely upon them. Again and again, in the Old Testament, he demonstrated that. Gideon routed the Midianites and equipped his men with torches and trumpets. The walls of Jericho fell down, not because of siege warfare, but because the children of Israel raised their voices as the Lord commanded.

The armies of Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea because God caused the waters to recede back after they had already entered. The Lord has miraculously saved his people again and again.

But our fiercest battle (Eph. 6:12) is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. These are the same powers that Christ Jesus faced for us. Like David, Jesus recognized what is important and what is not. He didn’t need superior might. If he did, he would have called down (Mt. 26:53) legions of angels. If he did, he would have defeated the devil by means of miracles. In fact, he refused to do miracles and instead relied on the simple, revealed Word of God. The One who goes to battle in the name of the Lord Almighty is at the advantage. Like David, Jesus faced a fearsome, boastful foe as a representative for his people. Like David, Jesus won convincingly.

But Jesus did not triumph over the boastful Prince of Darkness with a sling and smooth stone. He triumphed over him through his death and resurrection.With (Eph. 6:17) the sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God, he laid waste to evil one’s lies. By taking our sins upon himself, he silenced Satan’s accusations against us, once and for all, too. By rising from the dead, Jesus assured us of our deliverance from the jaws of death. Now, people across history and the world know that the Lord saves. (Jn. 10:28) There is nothing that Satan can do to steal you away from the Lord who has saved you. (Gn. 3:15) The devil struck his heel, but Jesus crushed his head.

This is why we are courageous. Not because we are so strong, so well-prepared, or anything of that. The battle isn’t up to you. The battle is the Lord’s. And the Lord Almighty sends you into battle in the power of his name. He sends all of us in the power of his name.

Understand what that means. There is a battle. And battle is scary. Being courageous doesn’t mean you have no fear, it means you do not lose heart. Being courageous means that you don’t lose focus. Sometimes, the battle seems too big for us. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. Sometimes, the battle seems too small to be worthwhile. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s. David didn’t go lion, bear, or Philistine hunting. But when those battles presented themselves, he trusted that the battle was the Lord’s. For some of us, that battle is physical. You may be sick, even dying. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. The outcome is assured. (Heb. 12:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:7) Run your race well and finish strong.

You may have a loved one who is starving their faith in God by denying themselves the Bread of Life. Maybe they’re stuck in an obvious sin cycle. Or just drifting away slowly. Trust in the Lord’s strength. He doesn’t deliver people with your swords or spears or sharp words or many tears. Use his Word. Call them to repentance where they have fallen into temptation. Call them to Christ when they are overwhelmed with grief and guilt. Remember the battle is the Lord’s.

You may be the one struggling with a particular sin. The devil would love to tell you it’s no big deal. God doesn’t mind. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s. God cares deeply. That’s why he sent his Christ. (2 Tim. 4:7) Fight the good fight with all your might.

As a church we are facing big decisions about our future. Where will we find a permanent home? We must remember the battle is the Lord’s. The gifts he has given this congregation may seem like too little. They’re not. We may be frightened to take a big step forward. We must remember, the battle is the Lord’s. We are not stepping out on our own, but in the name of the Lord Almighty. He will deliver us and do his will.

Those battles we wage are not in vain. And when we make it clear that we are confident that the Lord will deliver us, it can be inspiring to those in this valley. This congregation can leave a mark on this community that goes well beyond our time here on earth.

Just like Frank the WWI Balloon Buster. You may not be familiar with Frank’s story of bravery. But you know and benefit from it. Lt. Frank Luke Jr. grew up here and was known as the Arizona Balloon Buster, Today, Luke Air Force Base is named after him. His bravery was instrumental and inspirational in WWI. Yet, you and I know that even that won’t last forever. Some of you have lived here for years and didn’t know a thing about his life or his death. His courage only lasts as long as we know and remember his story.

Your courageous acts last even if no one else knows about them. They are (Mt. 6:20) treasures stored up in heaven. They are acts that impact and win souls. They are (Jn. 15:16) fruit that lasts. Not because you’re so strong, so smart, or so significant, but because you know the real source of your strength, your wisdom, and your significance: The Lord Almighty. Each day the Lord delivers us from evil and because of him the outcome is assured. The battle and the victory is the Lord’s. Amen.

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