He didn't really know what he was doing, but he just knew where to go.
First things first, he needed to grab a couple things from his beast. He strode into the midst of the camp. The midday sun beat down on him, and the stares and whispers of the other men scorched him just as much as the sun. A man stood next to a tent several yards away from him, and David did a double take. The man wasn't there anymore, but David could have sworn it was his brother watching him.
Focus. Focus on Yahweh's direction. He took a deep breath, and marched by them all. He kept his face passive, shoulders straight, and his stride even. He soon spotted his beast. He grabbed his staff and his slingshot.
His weapons of warfare.
After fastening the slingshot against his stomach with a cord tied around his torso, David kept walking away from the Israelite camp.
He didn't walk for long. There had been a river just before David arrived at the camp this morning. That was his destination.
Soon, he saw it. Sunlight glittered off the slow-moving water, giving the appearance of thousands and thousands of precious stones riding the waters to new homes. David walked right up to the end of the water, the current weak this late in the summer, and peered into its depths.
His hand broke the surface of the cool, glassy water, and he made his picks. One...Two...Three...Four...Five. Okay. He pulled the five smooth stones out of the water. They weren't very big, but they were the perfect size for his slingshot.
King Saul would refuse to let me go if he knew that I planned to pelt this giant with stones from my slingshot. David slipped the stones into his shepherd's pouch, smiling a little at the image of King Saul's face when he found out about his plan.
David knew the idea sounded crazy, but he just knew this was what he was supposed to do. God had stirred his spirit, and spoken to his soul without even using words. This little, handmade weapon would be the tool to show the people of Israel that Yahweh would save His people against any giant that came their way. That was why David picked five smooth stones. Among everything else, David had found out that Goliath had four other brothers. Five stones for five giants. The stones represented the grace God was extending towards His people, Israel, even though they hadn't believed in Him.
He continued to kneel beside the waters. Praying. Thanking. Preparing.
After a moment, he stood up. David fervently believed all this. That was why he walked back into camp with his staff in hand, slingshot at the ready, and five stones waiting to meet their target.
It was time to slay the giant.
1 Samuel 17:40
Today's thought is about preparation. I've always lumped this one verse with the verses before it. However, it's a completely different thought! A different action! A different theme! David didn't leave Saul's presence, and march out to Goliath. He went to prepare first. He got his walking staff, his slingshot, and his stones. He prepared for the battle with the weapons God had equipped especially for him.
Earlier in 1 Samuel 17, David told Saul that he had saved his father's sheep from lions and bears. David spoke confidently when he said, "Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God." He was confident because he had been faithful in the little battles. He had spent time in preparation. Even though this giant was more then he probably ever expected, he had already spent time exercising his faith.
Look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. The wise girls were prepared. They had brought extra oil for their lamps. Because of their preparation, they were able to enjoy the gifts of God.
We always need to spend time in preparation. We must constantly be prepared, on the lookout, hand on the hilt of our swords. We need to tackle the small things that cross our path, so that when something big comes our way, we do not lose faith in God's ability to deliver. We will remain strong because we have already practiced remaining strong in the little things.
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
We never know when those giant moments are going to pop up in our lives. I want to stand before them ready to fight. However, that requires honest effort from us. We need to fight the little battles in God's name, and we need to prepare before each battle, big or small.
"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13
Endure to the end my friends. Spend time in the Word. Refute the devils attacks with well placed Bible verse jabs. Share the Gospel and God's Word in it's entirety without shame. Dare to have the faith to believe that God is big enough to overcome earthquakes, madmen, famine, sickness, and the very laws of nature. Dare to believe that God can slay any giant with any weapon. Use that faith. Keep your faith strong. Prepare for battle just like David did.
V. Joy Palmer
Check out http://snackpackdevotionsforkidz.blogspot.com
Following us on Facebook or Twitter options are now available!
No comments:
Post a Comment