I was listening to the radio and the song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns was playing. This song has gotten me through many a rough spot and always seems to play at the right time. There is a verse that talks about David and the giant. David stands before the giant with his shepherd's sling and a few stones.
The Israelites had been frightened by the Philistines and their prize fighter, Goliath. For 40 days the giant had taunted them. David, the young brother, comes to check on his brothers on the front lines for the Israelites. He overhears the giant taunting their army. He wonders why "the armies of the living God" huddle in fear every time the giant appears. David had experience as a shepherd scaring off bears and lions and killing them if necessary. David tells the king he will take on Goliath. The king protests...at first, but he's really out of options. The king tells David to take his battle gear. David tries on the king's gear, but it's too big and he's not used to it so he leaves it behind. David approaches the front line where Goliath continues his ranting and raving about why they would send a boy to fight him.
1 Samuel 17:45-50 (NIV) 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
David had grabbed 5 stones. It only took one stone in the right place and David to remind the Israelites that the battle was the Lord's to topple the giant. Couple of other things I notice while reading the verses above? David talks out loud to the giant. David runs to the front line instead of waiting for the giant to attack him first.
Sometimes I need a reminder too when in the midst of fighting the daily smaller battles that amount to feeling like a war for my attitude, attention and mood. The battles are God's. We have to trust that He will give us the equipment we need to fight the giant(s) we face. The world will laugh. Who fights a giant with a sling and a stone? David did. We can too.
I think when the snow melts I will find a smooth stone. I'm going to set it somewhere where it will remind me when I see it that it only took one well placed stone to take down a giant. I think this will keep my battles in better perspective.
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