APRIL 5
BEHIND THE EPHOD
“And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in
the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the Ephod: if
thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David
said, There is none like that, give it me.” I Samuel 21:9
Oftentimes we discover that the moments of illumination and blessing, which we
experience, are only meant to be “in part”, not the absolute fulfillment. They
are preview glimpses of what God shall do for us, and through us, when we have
been fully prepared to execute His will in perfection. Thus we receive of His
gifts and graces, and later find that they are seemingly withdrawn and held in
reserve for another time.
In a moment of inspiration and true faith David went out to meet the giant
Goliath. “David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and
smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew
it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith…”(I
Samuel 17:50-51). The sword of a giant, Goliath’s sword was a mighty weapon, and
a tremendous token of victory that David was able to use Goliath’s own sword to
behead him. Yet, we do not find David running around using this sword again and
again. Rather, we discover that the sword fades from view and David returns back
to the routine. Yet much later, when in need of a weapon again, David came to
Nob to Ahimelech the priest, asked for a sword, and found there was waiting the
sword of Goliath.
The sword was wrapped in a cloth and placed “behind the ephod”. The Ephod was
that priestly apparel in the form of a vest, worn when the priest would receive
a special word from the Lord. Thank God, He has reserved the full operation of
the “gifts and graces” we have experienced in part, until we come into an
understanding of His perfect will and purpose, and then each ministry shall
accomplish that for which He has apprehended us. We have seen glimpses of what
can be done; now let us hold to the vision while He prepares us for the
operation thereof in perfection.
Ray Prinzing
Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700
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