More to The Story - Chapter 11 - David
FACING YOUR GIANTS WHEN YOU FEEL SMALL
Imagine the scene: a scrawny sixteen year old shepherd boy takes out a 9’9” tall giant with one rock and a sling. You may not have a gigantic giant taunting you to come out and fight. But you are probably facing a few giants of your own. Giants like the stack of past-due bills glaring at you. Like the divorce papers waiting on your signature. Or the depression that looms over you like the Hulk. It could be low self-esteem or insecurity or child abuse in your past. But you have your giants. And so do I. And we would do well to learn from David.
He could face his “giant” because he had spent time in the quiet with God. When he arrived at the place of the standoff between the Israelites and the Philistines, he talked about God. He told Saul that “TheLORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine”
(I Samuel 17:37). He did not hesitate to confront Goliath, saying he came “in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel.”
David was God-focused instead of giant-focused. He mentions Goliath two times and God nine times.He knew the giant was there and recognized his presence. But his thoughts were twice as much on God.
That focus led him to confront his giant rather than run away. For forty days Goliath continued to challenge Israel’s army. And for forty days everyone hoped he would just go away. But giants don’t typically go away until we face them. So David stepped into the gap and slung one well-aimed stone at him.
It helps to have someone in your corner that believes in you. David had his Jonathan. You need yours.You need at least one person who believes in you and that also believes in God. Someone who can encourage your faith — give you courage — when you most need it.
And you will need it. Because after you slay one giant, there will be more. You may wonder why Davidpicked up five stones from the river bed. Was he afraid he might miss? Not likely. He was skilled in his use of the sling.
Samuel 21:18-22 hints that Goliath may have had four brothers. David was ready. He could take onone giant. You might say knew how to get ahead of his giant. And then he was ready for more.
And you can too. Follow the shepherd from Bethlehem
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
How I want to walk with such confidence! To stand upon God's Word in ALL situations. So I continue to seek and listen for those choice words in God's Word which strengths such a walk.
ReplyDeleteIt also came to me the wisdom David had in knowing which battles were his (and the Lord's) and those which he knew to just walk away. He did not argue with his brother. I think I probably would have gotten stuck in such an argument with someone and gotten side tracked or delayed from the real mission (battle) God was to use me in joining Him. Sometimes I need to just let some battles fall so I can keep focused on the bigger picture. I'm learning. :)