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.
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