First Read: I Samuel 17: 31-36, 40, 48-51
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
1 Samuel 17:31-36
When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul; and he sent for him. 32David said to Saul, "Let no one's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." 33Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth." 34But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, 35I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. 36Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God."
1 Samuel 17:40
Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd's bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:48-51
When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.
50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David's hand. 51Then David ran and stood over the Philistine; he grasped his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him; then he cut off his head with it.
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
REFLECTION:
For most of us, life has presented a tremendous time of challenge and learning. Whether we wish it, want it, will it or not, God has opened this door for us to be faithful, expand our hope and families, and stretch to become stronger. The areas of our lives are multiple, and for the many receiving this devotional, it is the matter of working to establish a new and vibrant faith community. What a challenge and trust: God’s call to establish a new and living branch of His body that allows persons to experience the manifest presence of the Living Savior, and grow in their role as disciples of the one true God! There is still not a day when I don’t marvel at the confidence God has placed in myself and those who are a part of the team performing this work to be Levites in building this earthly tabernacle. For this we are grateful, and to be very honest . . . very nervous in desiring to do whatever it is to do this right. May God have Her way! May God have His hand on the walk, work, and worship of you as well!
In continuing this faith journey, the central challenge is maintaining a holistic sense of purpose and refracting fear at the un-readiness to accomplish that which you and I are moving towards. In our text, David experiences some of the same feelings and issues as his challenge came in the face of a physical giant. Whether physical, financial, psychological, etc., the resource to win over the giant in our life is the same answer that David provides: just five smooth stones!
For the sake of time, the story condensed is that David’s stones represent the following:
Exhorting doubters that God is bigger than their doubt (v. 32)
Remembering what you’ve done before in the Lord’s power and grace (v. 34)
Take on the fight (Don’t shirk back from the cause of Christ (v. 40)
Always carry a “bag” with something in it (v. 49)
Finish the job with something left over (v. 49)
Five stones that you should always carry when walking in life to accomplish the work God has called you to. I suggest this gift that a friend has given to me. If possible, carry in your pocket or somewhere with you each day five small stones or some other remembrances that will assist you mark off each day or week the critical tasks you have before you. For me, it’s sharing the work of I.S.A.I.A.H., and more importantly giving persons an opportunity to be a part of God’s family five times daily. While I love doing it, the five stones I carry serve as a remembrance the grace of discipleship God has afforded me, and responsibility such love compels me to live within. For our Advance Team, the five stones are markers for them to offer materials to five persons every week as we attempt to grow the Kingdom of God through this work. For you, the opportunities are limitless, but ignoring them will mean you will always have a giant in your life!
Pick up the stones, throw some, and carry one or two . . . just in case. May God be praised!
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