Daily Devotionals

Hall of Faith Week 10 Friday

Don't worry about this Philistine," David told Saul. "I'll go fight him!" 1 Samuel 17:32

David knew he had a calling on his life. He knew that God had anointed him as the next king of Israel. Although the only life he knew was the life of a shepherd, he looked for opportunities to step into that calling. The first time we see David owning his calling as the future king of Israel can be found in 1 Samuel 17. During this time, Israel was at war with the Philistine army. David's father sent him to take some food and check on his three oldest brothers, who had been fighting in Saul's army. When he arrived at the campsite, David recognized an opportunity to help the Israelites fight their enemies, the Philistine army. 

When David arrived at the Israelite army's campsite to check on his brothers and take food to them, he acted more bravely than the current king of Israel and the rest of the Israelite army. The Israelites were fearful of the Philistine army and one of its members who was threatening them: Goliath. When he assessed the situation, David asked more questions about Goliath, appalled at how he defied Israel and Israel's God. Although a shepherd boy, he stepped in the direction of his calling as the future king of Israel when he said to Saul, the king of Israel, "Don't worry about this Philistine…I'll go fight him!" (1 Samuel 17:32). Everyone tried to change David's mind, but he insisted that he was ready, willing, and able to defend God and Israel by fighting this giant.

I greatly admire David's boldness and readiness to fight for the Israelites when the opportunity presented itself. He was not king yet, but he was acting on behalf of Israel and Israel's God. The truth is, sometimes the opportunity to step into the roles God has called us to is abundantly obvious, like being crowned a king, but often it is not so obvious. Sometimes it looks like seeing a need and acting on it for the sake of God and His people. So, how will you step into the calling God has placed on your life today?

Moving Toward Action

Is there a particular calling that you know God has placed on your life? What is it? Maybe you have been called to share the gospel with a friend or family member. Maybe God has given you a specific calling to serve in a specific area in the church. Maybe your calling is to forgive someone who has hurt you. Whatever the case, commit today to step into that calling. Remember times in the past when you answered God's calling, and He provided for and protected you. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you step into the calling you have been given, and when opportunities come, to courageously take them. If you need a refresher on how to share your story go to www.sagebrush.church/onelife

Going Deeper

Read 1 Samuel 17:32-40 (NLT)

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.