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

January 27, 2022 — “Fold like a cheap suit” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:10-18

“Fold like a cheap suit”

Where did the saying “fold like a cheap suit” originate? And what was it’s meaning? It seems now to be used when an opponent will back away and run (sports teams, politicians). Cheap suits are normally made of thinner and poorer-quality fabric than expensive ones. Cheaper suits therefore are easier to fold. “Fold” meaning “collapse or give way under pressure” has been in use since the 16th century. Perhaps the commonest use nowadays is in card-playing; in poker, a player who “folds” gives up and withdraws from the game.

We often wear our faith on the outside – or I should say, we should wear our faith on the outside of ourselves often. But too many people wear their faith like a cheap suit. They are afraid if they show people their devotion, their faith, their true feelings about Jesus and the Gospel, well they will not be as popular, or will be ridiculed. So, they wear their faith like a cheap suit – and if you do this long enough, soon you will run the risk of finding yourself folding like a cheap suit when it comes to standing up to evil, injustice, and all the wrongs of the world.

To have faith in Jesus demands that we have such a love for G-d and a love for all people that we stand firm in our faith — and not fold when the heat of any crises threatens us to the point we begin to question what we believe. Jesus died on a cross so that you and I may have not only eternal life, but a fuller life right now. That alone should compel us to stand firm.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, we have been taught to stand firm in our faith. However, life’s events, world events, and people assail us every day. Give us your strength and love to not fold but stand firm in our trust and love for you. Amen.

Pastor Dave