SATURDAY EDITORIAL

WORD OF WISDOM
GIANTS ~ Hebrews nephilim, meaning "violent" or "causing to fall" (Genesis 6:4). These were the violent tyrants of those days, those who fell upon others. The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monsters" or "prodigies." In Numbers 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe, a race of large stature, "the sons of Anak." The Revised Version, in these passages, simply transliterates the original, and reads "Nephilim."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

2 Samuel 21:18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:20 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man
of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot,
twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant.

These events seem to have taken place towards the end of David's reign.

David, though old, desired not a moment of ease from the public service, but he went down in person to fight against the Philistines, a sign that he fought not for his own glory (at this age he was loaded with glory, and needed no more), but for the good of his kingdom. But in this engagement we find him, in distress and danger. He thought he could bear the fatigues of war as well as he had done formerly; his will was good, and he hoped he could do as at other times. But he found himself deceived; age had cut his hair, and, after a little toil, he waxed faint. His body could not keep up with his mind.

David fainted, just as we do today, but he did not flee, as so many of us do; though his strength failed him, he bravely kept his ground, and then God sent him this help in the time of need (his servant Abishai), though brought him by his junior and inferior, he thankfully accepted, and, with a little recruiting, gained his point, and came off a conqueror.

The enemies of God's people are often very strong, very subtle, and very sure of success, like Isbi-benob, but there is no strength, nor counsel, nor confidence against the Lord. The enemies of God's Israel are restless in their attempts against them.

In spiritual conflicts, even strong saints sometimes wax faint; then Satan attacks them furiously; but those who stand their ground and resist him, shall be relieved and made more than conquerors.

Christ, in His agonies, was strengthened by an angel. Christ and His angels are here for us today to give us His strength, if we only stay the course.

But through Him that triumphed for us, we as His believers shall be more than conquerors at last, even over that enemy (DEATH).

Who are the giants in your life you can't or won't cast out of your life?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj