January 28, 2022 — “Close but no cigar” (1 Samuel 17:45-50)

“David said to the Philistine, “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, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” 1 Samuel 17:45-50

“Close but no cigar”

Carnival games nowadays give out stuffed animals as prizes, but in the late 19th century, the games were targeted to adults, not kids. And for those who might win a prize, the prize would not be a giant teddy bear, but instead winners might get a cigar. If they almost won but didn’t earn that prize, the carnival worker might shout “close, but no cigar.” By the 1930s, the phrase extended beyond fairgrounds to everyday close calls.

The fact that it was David and not some other fighter for the Israelites, made the giant Goliath laugh. How could this young, unarmed, un-armored boy beat him, a giant fighter for the fierce Philistines? But, as we all have learned throughout our lives, we should never count out someone who has G-d on their side. As the boy prepared to fire his sling, the Giant had to think to himself this will be another time when someone’s attempt to defeat him will be “Close but no cigar”. Instead the stone flew so quickly, and so precisely, that it sunk into the Giant’s forehead before he could react – and killed him.

Often we feel as if our G-d moments come close, but not close enough to really change us. But how close does G-d have to get before we understand the blessings that come from a relationship with G-d? I once was visiting a young person who was involved in a horrific accident. They should not have survived — and yet they did — fairly intact. There were many decisions and behaviors that led up to the accident — many of them poor decisions and bad behaviors. In our conversations I asked them “Is anything going to change? Is this the wake up call you needed?”

When G-d gives us a “wake-up” call, we should be listening, discerning, and understanding how much G-d loves us and how far G-d will go to get our attention. The next time may not be another “close but no cigar”. Now is the time to see the G-d moments for what they are — time to reassess and consider a closer relationship with G-d.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we thank you for the times that you come into our lives, those moments when we notice, and those where we are too distracted. Help us to see your presence, and to share your love every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave