For just a moment, I want you to put yourself in the sandals of David in Scripture. He was a shepherd boy who was on an errand for his father to bring food to his brothers who were serving on the front lines in a battle that pitted Israel against the Philistines.
No sooner had David arrived when the army was directed to take their positions. David quickly passed his picnic lunch to a keeper of the supplies and ran to the front lines to see his brothers. As they were talking, Goliath, the Philistine champion, stepped out and started shouting his usual defiance and taunts at the Israelites. When David heard this, a sense of indignation stirred within him. He asked the men standing near him, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (I Samuel 17:26) His brothers were incensed to see the way this little untrained boy was talking and angerly asked him to go home!
As it happened King Saul heard about the tenacity of this young shepherd boy and sent someone to get him. When David appeared before Saul, he clearly showed his hand at what gave him the backbone needed to face this threatening giant.
As a shepherd boy he had already spent time in training. While protecting the sheep he had been called on to kill both a lion and a bear. “This Philistine will be like one of them…” he told the king. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Without flinching the Bible says, “So Saul said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you.” (v:37)
As his brothers and soldiers watched, David stepped onto the battlefield and boldly shouted across at Goliath, “You come against me with a sword and spear… but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down.” (v:45-46)
Reaching into his bag he pulled out a stone, placed it in his sling, and flung it towards the giant. God seemed to pilot that stone to strike Goliath in the forehead and he fell to the ground – dead! (v:49-50)
What giants are you facing today that are causing you stress and worry? Mocking you. Taunting you. Do you find yourself like the gentleman that claimed he only worried three days a week – yesterday, today, and tomorrow? Today God wants to assure you – He’s got your back! And “If God is for you, who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31)
Two highly respected spiritual leaders of the 17th Century put it this way. “Never trouble yourself to inquire whether you will have strength to endure what is presented – if it should actually come upon you – for the moment of trial will have its appointed and sufficient grace.” (Francois Fenelon & Jeanne Guyon in “Spiritual Progress.”)
Therefore, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
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