He was going through and the battles He was fighting against all the hells. For
us today we can learn the teaching about the Lord’s trials and struggles, and
then we can look at Moses at the Red Sea, yet see the Lord gaining power over
the hells and bringing us to safety.
David as a Shepherd
David was a gentle shepherd who cared for and protected his father’s sheep,
killing a lion and a bear that attacked them. He also became a brave warrior
who fought Goliath and many other oppressors of Israel. Many people have
seen that David’s life as a shepherd was symbolic of Jesus, yet when Jesus
described Himself as the Good Shepherd He clearly was not speaking literally.
Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), not a shepherd. Yet on a symbolic level
we are all sheep and the Lord watches over us, provides for us and protects
us every day, just as a shepherd does. And as David fought, the Lord fights
on our behalf against our demons to bring us inner peace and victory over
resentment.
Elisha Raising the Dead
A final example of a story in which we can see the Lord is Elisha raising to
life a boy who had died. Clearly Elisha’s power to give life foreshadows Jesus
bringing to life the dead son of the widow of Nain, as well as Lazarus, Jairus’
daughter, and many more.
Bringing to life those who have died is an incredibly powerful miracle, yet
after Jesus brought these people back to life they all died again some years later.
We are not created to live forever in this world, but in heaven. That is where the
Lord wants all of us to be.
The fact that Jairus’ daughter could grow to adulthood before finally
leaving this world is not nearly as significant as the fact those few more years
of earthly life showed that Jesus has power to give eternal life to all who seek
it from Him.
Seeing Ourselves
When we look beyond the literal to the spiritual meaning in the Word, we can
see the Lord there, and we can also see ourselves. Abraham wanted children of
his own, and the Lord wants us as His own children. Joseph gave his brothers
food to feed their families, and the Lord sends us to serve and satisfy the needs
of others around us. Moses brought Israel through the Red Sea, and the Lord
brings us through times of being overwhelmed.
As David cared for his sheep and his people, the Lord cares tenderly for
each of us, providing for all our needs. And as Elisha raised a boy to life the
Lord raises us from apathy into a life of compassion.
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