How many times have you questioned your abilities, wondering if you were up to the task at hand? Have you told yourself “I know I would be able to accomplish that if only …” and then filled in the rest with your perceived lack? We all tend to think that we would do better if we had more – time, money, skill, help, encouragement, or insight! But, here is what I know. God has provided everything you need to fulfill His purposes in your life, right where you are, in this time. What we need is vision and the courage to step up.
The familiar story of David in the books of Samuel introduce
us to the faith of that young man as he goes to take supplies to his brothers
in the army during a campaign against Israel’s perennial enemies, the
Philistines. There he finds the army camped and frozen in fear because of the taunts
of a Philistine champion named Goliath. The big man strode out every morning to
challenge Israel. “Send a man to fight me. Let’s end this. I win, you serve us.
You win, we serve you.” Nobody would go
to face him, a man who towered over them.
David sees the challenge with eyes informed by faith, the issue not just
a battle between armies but about the honor of God, Who’s Name was on the line.
He offered himself to the king who at first rejected him- “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” (1 Samuel 17:33, NLT) Eventually David’s passion and record of past encounters with predators while he tended his father’s sheep overcame the king’s reluctance and he suited David in his own armor. It just did not sit right with David to wear that armor, to allow the king to claim victory; and beside all that, it did not fit him very well. So he took it off and headed out to the challenge.
On the way "He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath." (1 Samuel 17:40, NLT) With eyes of faith, David saw potential in five ordinary little rocks he picked up from a creek bed! Others saw nothing, he saw a weapon that God could use. Moments later, Goliath lay dead after being knocked down by one of those ‘five smooth stones!’ “Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it from his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face downward to the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine giant with only a stone and sling.” (1 Samuel 17:49)
What’s your challenge today? Pray for faith. Look around for resources
at hand.
Then go, not arrogantly, not pumped up on your own self-confidence, but leaning on the Lord’s ability to work in you and through you. He can make you a better husband and father. He can help you to gain a better understanding of your job. He can lead you to overcome those crippling fears. Whatever the challenge, God has resources available to you that will equip you for the task. Will you find the same fame and glory as David did as a result of his exploits? Probably not, but you will know the sense of joy that comes from finding one’s self in the center of God’s plan: meeting needs, serving others, being effective as a change agent in your family, among your friends, at your church, and in your place of work.
The word from the Word is a promise of provision. Read it
carefully and receive it in faith. "As we know Jesus better, his divine
power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to
receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given
us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape
the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in
his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises
to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of
moral excellence leads to knowing God better." (2 Peter 1:3-5, NLT)
So, where are those ‘five smooth stones’ you
need for today’s work?
(Video of this blog at this link)
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Be bold be strong
For the Lord thy God is with thee
Be bold be strong
For the Lord thy God is with thee
Do not be afraid do not be dismayed
Walk in faith and victory
Walk in faith and victory
Walk in faith and victory
For the Lord thy God is with thee
Morris Chapman
© 1984 Curb Word Music
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