David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Samuel 17:45
My friend recently had trouble making changes to her plane ticket for an upcoming flight. She took all the steps necessary listed on her airline's website about how to make changes, but she kept meeting obstacle after obstacle. Finally, she reached a point of frustration and called the airline. When she called, she was transferred multiple times to different representatives until she was finally able to speak with someone who could help with her particular issue. As she spoke with this helpful representative, she explained the difficulties she had previously had receiving help. Instead of giving a generic apology that one might have expected, this airline representative said, "I'm sorry for the trouble you have had with your ticket. Your problem is now my problem, and I am going to take care of this. Do not worry about it anymore." That is exactly what happened, the representative took care of everything. My friend felt great relief at the airline representative's promise to her. The situation was out of her hands. On a much larger scale, my friend, we can live with the peace and confidence that God fights for us.
We learn in 1 Samuel 17 that David certainly believed that God fights for His people. When the rest of the Israelite army was scared to fight the Philistines, David stepped up because He believed that God would fight for the Israelites. He stepped up to fight against Goliath, a very tall man who was bigger, more skilled, and more experienced than he was, refusing the use of armor that Saul offered because it was too big. Instead, David picked up five stones he found in a river. The stones and his sling that he was already familiar with would be his weapons. Stepping up to fight Goliath, David said to him, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (verse 45). God was on David's side, and He would help him win this battle. That is exactly what happened with one stone and his sling; he hit Goliath on the forehead and killed him. God protected David and the people of Israel from the Philistines that day, just as David knew He would.
My friend, when we are in a battle or a tight situation, we, too, can remain confident in God's power and protection. He is taking care of the situation; it's in His hands, not ours. We, of course, use the resources He has given us to fight, even if it is only a few stones and a slingshot, but we trust God throughout the entire battle or situation. He gives us what we need to win the battle when we trust in Him.
Moving Toward Action
In what area are you needing God to fight for you right now? How would you live if you were supremely confident that the battle was God's, not yours? The truth is, God is fighting for us. So, take some time today to share how you need Him to fight for you, and then live like you truly believe that he's fighting for you.
Read 1 Samuel 17:41-51 (NLT)
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.
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