Gary Hall
I was raised as a Roman Catholic and intended to become a priest after I left school, but the Lord had other plans for me. In 1973, at the age of 17, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour at the headquarters of the Liverpool City Mission. This immediately caused problems regarding my family. My mother and father were against what they called my "change of religion". The situation came to a climax when I arrive home one evening from a Christian friend's house only to be met by my father on the doorstep with the words, "You don't live here anymore". So at the age of 18 I would have been homeless but for the kindness of friends. One cannot rely on the goodness of others for too long, so I decided to move into a local boarding house. What I saw and experienced there cannot be written here. Eventually, after spending time living rough and in the Salvation Army hostel, I found my own apartment. I had fallen away from the Lord for two years at this time. My thoughts went back to my childhood desire to become a Roman Catholic priest. I made enquiries and found that the only real option for me was to become a monk in the Franciscan Order. The Saturday before I was due to leave for the monastery in Guildford, Surrey, I pleaded with the Lord, asking, "Lord, is it your will that I should become a monk like St. Francis?" That evening I attended a tent meeting in a local park. A preacher from Northern Ireland, Derrick Bingham, was teaching from the book of Nehemiah. During the service the preacher turned to my direction (there were about 500 people present) and said, God does not want you to become a monk like St. Francis of Assisi." Here was my answer from the Lord. From that moment I made a complete break from the Catholic Church and have come to see it as the biggest cult that this world knows. In 1979 I joined a church, The Mission, in the neighbourhood where I was living. From the moment I walked through the door of that small building I knew that I was home. The godly lifestyle and inspired teaching of Pastor Charles Bolton (promoted to glory 12 December 2003) and his wife brought me back to my first love for Christ. The church had no young people, but I never once felt that I was out of place. These people obviously loved the Lord. In my desire to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ I began to give leaflets out in Liverpool City Centre. Many a Saturday afternoon was spent witnessing to those willing to stop and listen. On one Saturday in late Autumn 1979 I was approached by a girl with an Irish accent. She asked if I was a Christian and where the church I attended was located. The next morning the same girl was found at The Mission. To cut a short story shorter, six months later on March 29 1980, we were married by Pastor Bolton at The Mission. Margaret, my wife, also comes from a Catholic background, but was soundly converted to Christ and from the errors of Rome whilst visiting relatives in New York in the summer of 1979. (You may find her personal testimony one day on these pages.) In 1986 Pastor Bolton retired from the ministry at The Mission. The leadership of the church was handed over to me. To be very honest I did not fully understand what this would entail, but the Lord has been good and has led me each step of the way. Through the Lord's power we have been used to reach many hundreds of people, though our fellowship is actually small in number. In 1988 we changed the name of the church to Living Word. I am convinced that God is about to pour out His Spirit in revival one last time before the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ (see my article on Revival on this site). This revival will not come via the charismatic movement, it will not come from Toronto or Pensacola, it will not come from the ecumenical movement or the so-called Churches Together - these movements are bankrupt of the truth and the Spirit of God. This final revival will come as a result of the true believers in Christ Jesus getting right with Him. The revival will include a return to the Authorised King James Bible. My great desire is to see people coming to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, to see backsliders returning, and to see the church of Christ revived. Though I have many failings I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of my heart. I am willing to serve Him wherever and whenever He sees fit. The word of God is the delight of my life for I'm still amazed after all these years just how fresh and new The Holy Bible is each day!
View all articles by Gary Hall1 Samuel 17
Introduction
We all remember the schoolyard rhyme used against a bully who called us names; “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” In our study today we are going to discuss the story of David and Goliath. How should we respond to our Goliaths? Can we trust in David’s God?
The scene is set
Goliath was about 9ft 6in tall so he would have towered over both the Israelite and Philistine armies. His imposing figure, because of their lack of faith in God, paralysed the Israelites with fear. He was obviously a very strong man since his spear head alone weighed 15 pounds, but being so tall would have made him slow and awkward of movement. As he came into view, with his golden coloured armour on, he would have shone like a pillar of fire, thus terrifying the Jews (1 Samuel 17:1-7).
David on the other hand was only a young man (maybe between 17-25 years old), he certainly was not the “little boy” described in Sunday School songs. He was a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:20). David was not trained as a soldier, so the armour Saul gave him would have been uncomfortable to wear (1 Samuel 17:38-39). As far as David was concerned Goliath was no different from the lion and bear he had fought off while tending his sheep.
Goliath was fierce, the Jews were frightened, but David had faith.
Five smooth stones
David, instead of the weapons of mass destruction of that day, chose a missile he was used to firing. He knew that he would reach his mark more precisely than a laser guided bomb. Some have suggested that the five stones represent the name of Jesus. The choosing of five stones is more likely to be a prophetic act symbolising what would happen to Goliath and his four brothers (2 Samuel 21:15-22). Goliath was a rugged mountain of a man, but he was slain by a smooth stone. Even the Antichrist and his kingdom will be destroyed by a “stone” (Daniel 2:34-35).
Defying God’s army
David warned Goliath about the danger of defying the army of God. This world takes great delight in mocking Christianity, but God is listening to and recording their words and actions. Those who defy the Lord Jesus Christ forget that there might be a “David” in our camp ready to defeat them and to revive the church. It may be acceptable to ridicule and blaspheme the name of Christ now and exalt the giant “evolution”, but one day this will fall.
The Name of the Living God
David came out against Goliath with the name of the Lord upon his lips and within his heart (1 Samuel 17:45). In reality he did not need the stones; they were simply visuals for both armies to see. As far as this shepherd was concerned, the victory was already won, and so it is for the person who truly believes in God. It was not the stone that broke Goliath’s bones; it was the name of the Lord.
David had faith and was determined to resist the Philistine by standing firm in the Lord. To do anything in the name of God means that we act for His honour rather than for selfish motives. We need believers today who are willing to prove the reality and power of the living God whom the world despises.
Stone the crows!
The full impact of David’s faith in God suddenly struck Goliath right between the eyes (1 Samuel 17:42-49). David did not need to stone the crows, but they would in fact eat Goliath’s flesh that day. While Goliath lay unconscious face down on the ground, David took the giant’s own sword and severed his head (1 Samuel 17:50-51).
Facing our Goliaths
We all have huge problems to deal with throughout our Christian life. These might be persecution from the world, friends and family, or it could be sickness, bereavement or a financial dilemma. Like David we must trust in the Lord in every way, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
In the New Testament devils were cast out, sicknesses were healed, the dead were raised, and thousands were born again through the name of the Lord. We must learn to speak and act in the name of Christ every day and in all situations, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17). The name of Jesus is not a word to tag on to the end of our prayers! “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
Conclusion
David was an army of one as he stood before Goliath, but God was at his side, so the victory, despite the odds, was sure. See what God can do with someone that trusts Him! The revival we often pray for may come when one person stands up in the name of the Lord to announce His mighty power. Such a person may be ridiculed by the world and the church, but there are no armies on earth or in Hell that can defeat a believer who takes God at His word.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
[A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther]
www.LWBC.co.uk
