“And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and RAN toward the army to meet the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:48
What was it that made David run towards the Philistine, even towards the Philistine army to meet Goliath in deadly combat? Was it folly, or just a military tactic to disorient the enemy? We discover something first in the motivation of David, when he addressed Goliath on the battlefield: “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) David was first and foremost jealous for the glory of God, especially and in particular, because Goliath had “defied the armies of the living God.” (v.26) But there was another reason, and it revealed itself the day that Samuel the prophet came and anointed David to be king. That day the Spirit of God came upon David in such a way, as to strengthen him to be the man that God had called him to be. Thus, David, filled with righteous indignation at this godless giant of a man, who was spouting blasphemies against God and Israel, would not only approach his enemy, but run towards him in the strength, courage, and power of God.
When Abraham was a hundred years old, Scripture tells us that he was seated in the door of his tent in the heat of the day. There appeared three men by him, one of which was the Lord Jesus. This man, old that he was, “ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground.” (Genesis 17:2) Why did he run? Like David, but even more so, Abraham was a man of faith, who knew the Lord. His years of walking with God had provided him with a knowledge of Christ which eclipsed all else. He saw Him as the Almighty God, the One who had called him to walk before Him and be perfect. In the face of such greatness, the very revelation of God in Christ, with a clear understanding of who He was, there would be no hesitancy, no half-heartedness, only the launching forth towards the Lord with all that his feet could do to carry him, and his knees bending in fervent worship to His Maker, Keeper, and Lord. This was cause to run.
When Isaac was forty years old, he lost Sarah his mother, as she died. Abraham sent his most trusted servant to seek a wife for Isaac to a far off land, where remnants of Abraham’s family still lived. It would be from Abraham’s family that the servant was strictly ordered to take the wife for Isaac, and not from among the Canaanites. This servant was a faithful, God-fearing man, who mirrored the faith of Abraham, though to a lesser extent. Having taken goods and wealth with him on ten camels, he came to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia. There, by a well, he would pray to the God of his master Abraham, asking him for an impossible thing. He prayed first to be guided. Then he waited upon God to perform a miracle in the heart of a young woman, whom he did not know, nor she him. He would ask her for a drink of water, and her response was to be, that she would then draw water for all of his camels, until they were satisfied. What kind of woman would do such a thing, especially for a stranger? Only one with a servant’s heart, and selfless attitude. The woman did exactly as the servant had prayed to God that she would do. Not only this, but she would RUN to give water to the camels. Why? She was free from selfishness by her devotion to serve others. This was the quality of heart that the servant sought in discerning the bride for Isaac.
So, why does a Christian run? He does so for the glory of God, by the Spirit, selflessly, serving the living God by faith.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to run. In Jesus’ name, Amen.