I’m writing today from a passage in 1 Samuel 4:6-10 where the Israelites faced the Philistines in battle.
Usually, we learn from the Israelites, but this time around, we will learn from the Philistines.
In Scripture, we naturally gravitate toward the “heroes,” the people of God, because they set the standard. But the truth is, the whole of Scripture is given for our learning. That means we can learn not only what to do, but also what not to do.
This story unfolds at a time when Israel was out of alignment with God. As a result, when they went into battle, they were being beaten like a thief caught red-handed in computer village.
In response, they turned to what had worked before. They sent for the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence among them. Historically, the Ark had been associated with victory, so bringing it into the camp filled them with confidence.
When the Ark arrived, the Israelites erupted in celebration. Their shouting was so loud that it echoed into the camp of the Philistines.
And that is where things get interesting.
The Philistines heard the noise and clocked it that the Ark of the Lord had come into Israel’s camp. Fear gripped them. They began to panic, even contemplating surrender.
But then their leaders stepped in.
Instead of allowing fear to take over, they rallied their troops and said,
“Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, so that you do not become servants of the Hebrews.” 1 Samuel 4:9
At that moment, the soldiers got their morale hyped up. I can imagine them telling each other, “all die na die”. If we perish, we perish, but we will fight.
And they did.
As the story goes, they went on to win a resounding victory.
That same mindset appears elsewhere in Scripture.
Esther faced a moment where her life was on the line. Her response was, “If I perish, I perish.”
The three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, stood before the fiery furnace with the same resolve. They refused to bow, fully aware of the consequences.
And in both cases, something remarkable happened. They did not perish.
This is the challenge and the reminder.
What is that noise in your life right now?
What is making you hesitate, shrink back, or second-guess yourself?
At some point, you may need to stand still, gather yourself, and say, If I perish, I perish.
Not out of recklessness, but out of conviction.
Not because you are careless, but because you refuse to let fear make your decisions.
I say this to myself as much as to you. Some things make me pause, reconsider, and even want to withdraw. But this is a call to face it. Step into it. Move forward.
And for those wondering, “Fortis esto et animosus” means “Be strong and courageous” in Latin.
Let’s make May a memorable month.
