Come in the Name of the Lord
David Anderson, president of High Priest Quorum
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion. Declare his deeds among the peoples. -Psalm 9:9-11
If you notice my name and know my height, you could guess that today’s scripture from 1 Samuel, which describes the encounter between David and Goliath, is one of my favorites in the Hebrew Scriptures. David, the shepherd-short in stature and the underdog-triumphs against Goliath, the large, strong, military Philistine champion and warrior.
David chooses not to fight like Saul or Goliath. Rather, he shrewdly uses his mobility, giftedness, and experience with the sling to claim a comparative advantage to Goliath’s military tactics with a large sword and heavy armor. As our scripture indicates, David’s faith and confidence allow him to accomplish his task in the name of the Lord.
Often, I reflect on whether I, like David, have such faith and confidence in God to “come in the name of the Lord.” There have been times in my ministry when I gave all I could, yet I felt it was insufficient. I have felt unprepared and tired-sometimes exhausted. Yet, I have found during those times that if I walked forward with God’s love and “in the name of the Lord,” the Spirit has powerfully provided understanding, blessing, and ministry to those around me.
On one occasion, I was asked to teach teenagers at a week-long reunion. Although I did my best in preparation, I felt my effort might not be enough to provide the ministry those young people needed and deserved. I was stressed and uncertain. However, during that week and in the classes, the Holy Spirit touched the lives of those young people-and my life, too. As I look back at my lifelong ministry, that class ranks one of the highest in the response of people. It was a situation of high stress. Yet, the Spirit took over and blessed us!
Similar situations have occurred in my life. Like David, when I have prepared and walked forward, trusting God’s love and presence, God has delivered. May we do so every day of our lives!
Prayer Phrase
“Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation” (https://www.cofchrist.org/enduring-principles).
Spiritual Practice
Embodying God’s Shalom
Find a way to express and embody God’s shalom. Begin by prayerfully listening to your longing for peace and wholeness. Become silent and imagine you can hear the groaning of the Earth’s people, nations, and creatures. Prayerfully open yourself to God’s yearning for peace and the divine vision of shalom.
What images, feelings, and words come to you? What prayer for peace comes to you from your time of listening? Speak or write this prayer. What act of justice, kindness, healing, or peacemaking does God invite you to consider this day?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
