Looking Back Running Forward

Previously, I have discussed the Hebraic approach to the future. It is like rowing a boat. You focus on where you have been as you approach where you are headed. In other words, your back is facing the direction you are rowing. "Looking Back Running Forward" is the way to encounter any problem or difficulty you face. Most everyone knows the story of David and Goliath. The young shepherd boy defeats the giant with nothing but his sling and five smooth stones. On closer examination, we can see five steps David took to defeat the giant. I call them the five steps of "Looking Back Running Forward":

1. Step 1: Look back. 1 Samuel 17:37 says: And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" (RSV) David looked back at the past protection and deliverance from God. By looking back, he was able to face the future with confidence. He knew he would be a success because God would not fail.

2. Step 2: Say it. 1 Samuel 17:45-46 says: Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.... (RSV) David understood the power of words. He didn't speak the problem, he spoke the desired end. Oh, that we might speak the solution and not the problem. Too many prayer meetings are glowing tributes to the power of the enemy. We need to focus on the solution.

3. Step 3: Do it. 1 Samuel 17:48 says: 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. (KJV) Once David had spoken the desired end, he ran toward the problem. Once we have heard from God, we need not fear. We can with confidence run toward the difficulty with confidence that we will prevail.

4. Step 4: Receive it. 1 Samuel 17:51 says: Then David ran and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. (RSV) David received the victory. He had spoken he would take the giant's head, but he had no sword. After striking Goliath with the stone, David took his sword and fulfilled his words in verse 46: This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.... (RSV) He received the victory.

5. Step 5: Proclaim it. 1 Samuel 17:54 says: And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent. (RSV) David proclaimed the victory by bringing the giant's head to Jerusalem. You know that they had a celebration!

David's actions teach us how to be a success in the face of any giants that are standing before us. We need not fear. Look back and then run forward!