1 Samuel 17:21-48
Verse 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.
This is one of those stories we all know by heart and could likely recite with very little, if any prompting. But maybe we are too familiar with the story. As can be the case with familiarity of something, we can skim over it and think of it on a surface level but miss something that is really the heart of the story.
This young fellow who had been anointed king with the knowledge that it would be a future appointment, had gone back to his life among the sheep, other than getting a glimpse of the palace here and there to soothe the king with music when he was being tormented by unsettling spirits. He wasn’t trying to make a name for himself but was faithfully doing what he was told to do.
One of the things he had been told to do was take food to his brothers who had gone to war and to bring back word to his father about their wellbeing. It was after he had delivered the packages to the military supply keeper and while he was talking with his brothers that he hears something that shocks him. There was an enemy mocking God and no one in Israel was doing anything about it.
While the army of Israel was looking on the outside of their opponent and seeing him as too big to conquer, the boy with a heart for God was focused on the words of the giant. This shepherd was used to praising God, in fact, it is likely that even at this age he had already written some of his praise songs. David was in tune with God. God was very important to him and it seems he hadn’t outgrown his child-like faith in the God of Israel.
David didn’t need to fear a loud mouth giant who worshiped pagan gods because this boy who had trusted God to help him defeat a lion and a bear who had tried to attack his sheep, trusted God to help him defeat the blaspheming enemy. While the army of the Lord’s people were focused on the enemy, David was focused on the Lord.
Making It Personal
When have you struggled in life because you were focused on the troubling issue instead of the Lord? How do you respond when people bad mouth God? Where do you need to stand up for God today?
Making It Personal Kids
What do you do when you hear someone talk bad about God? Do you stand up for God or are you afraid of what they may say or do to you? How can you stand up for Him today?
Closing Prayer
Father, You are bigger than we can imagine, unfortunately we too often don’t trust You in big enough ways. Help us learn to trust You and stand up for You in every opportunity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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