1 Samuel 17:32-37
Verse 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
We left our story yesterday with the king sending for David. The king’s men came to David and took him back to the king’s tent and that is where we find him.
At first King Saul must have been relieved that there was someone that was willing to go up against the giant but imagine how crestfallen he must have been to see a boy walk up to his tent area. But David had a little speech all prepared, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” David didn’t beat around the bush, he went to the king and offered to fight the giant.
King Saul must have thought the boy was kidding. Why would he think that the king would let a boy go out to battle a man that was probably about 4 feet taller?! Saul’s view wasn’t so much that David was too young and small but that if none of his warriors felt they could take the mammoth of a man on then why would this child think that he could? And what would others say about Saul if he let a child be slaughtered by allowing him to face the mighty warrior?
David wanted the king to take him serious so he starts listing what he thought would be good things to put on a warriors resume, fighting bears and lions with his bare hands. The king would have to find that impressive, right? But then he puts in the real reason he knows that he can defeat the enemy champion, he had the mightiest weapon of all, the strength of the Lord. While it seems that the king has missed the real enemy and true champion, the young shepherd boy knew in a very real way, the Lord of Israel.
There are times when others count us as incapable of doing the task at hand. Maybe they think we are too young or maybe too old, but the Lord has a place in His army for us all. As the children’s song says, we may never fight, ride, shoot or soar but we are in the Lord’s army. We need to learn what it means to be in the Lord’s army and prepare for battle.
Making It Personal
When have you felt unqualified for what you felt God was leading you to? Did you do it anyway? Did obeying Him show you that all you needed was His strength?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever thought that you couldn’t do something that you were being asked to do? Did you try to do it anyway? Do you think Jesus could help you do things that you didn’t feel like you could?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for calling us to serve in Your army. Give us the wisdom to know how to fight for You and Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.