FILED UNDER
POSTED ON
38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:38 – 40 ESV
As Christians, we are no strangers to giants. Spiritually, we’re equipped for battle. As I reflected on David and his battle against Goliath, I realized a pivotal moment had so much wisdom for the challenges we face.
In 1 Samuel 17, David arrives at a faceoff between the Philistines and the Israelites. Led by Saul, the Israelites were terrified of fighting against Goliath, but David wasn’t. David was enraged by Golaith’s boasts and insults against God. He was not afraid to go to battle because God had been with him as he tended to sheep and he knew that God would continue to be with him in this battle. David is offered Saul’s armor and he tries it on, only to find it’s ill-fitting. Therefore, David decides to go with what he knows, his slingshot. He heads to the stream, finds five smooth stones, and sets off to face the Goliath.
There are some who believe that David took those five stones because he didn’t have faith. But David was certain that the God who protected him as he went after lions and bears protecting his father’s flock would surely care for him now. What if David gathered those stones because he knew something we didn’t? What if David recognized that he had to be adequately prepared for battle physically so that when God showed up, he was ready to execute?
So often God wants to partner with us against our giants. He wants to see us remove debt, heal from diseases, and renew our mindsets. But maybe we’re the speed bump… Maybe we’re the ones with empty hands wearing someone else’ s armor wondering why we’re losing the battle. Maybe we need to go gather the stones… This is a reminder to take a look at your giant and remember who you serve. God is all-powerful and protects his children. He has already given you authority and victory, but you’ve got to walk in it. Remove everyone else’s ways, go with what you know, and have faith in God.
Share this post
The passage illustrates the importance of being a beacon of light in dim, dark places, as guided by Luke 11:33-36. One must not let comfort lead to dulled awareness, but instead consciously illuminate one’s environment. It urges self-reflection on how one’s personal light can lead others towards embracing Jesus.
The Lord’s Prayer 11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone
The Beatitudes 20 And He raised His eyes toward His disciples and began saying, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your
I have been lost a time or two. Usually, because I got distracted and wandered off the intended path. Whatever sparked my interest was enough to cause me to lose sight of my intended destination. In this passage, we find Jesus as a child, so focused on His Father’s business that he wanders off from his parents. In my own life, I’ve found that I’m not prone to wander towards my father’s business….but away from it.
If you or someone close to you is in need, we would be honored to lift you up in prayer. We believe in the power of prayer to bring peace, comfort, and reassurance during times of hardship. Our community is ready to join together and pray as we trust in God’s love and unending grace.
