When faced with a new task what is your general approach? Do you take anything and everything offered, or do you rely on what you already know?
David’s answer to that question might surprise you.
While a young man, David, as instructed by his father, left his sheep and went to visit Saul’s army, checking on his soldier brothers.
He arrived to hear dirty declarations escaping Goliath’s mouth. While Goliath is impressive in physical stature and intimidating in word and action, David is not afraid of him.
He is horrified at how Goliath is treating God’s people.
David is ready to fight him.
What does he think a mere shepherd boy brings to this battle?
King Saul tried to shake David’s stance: “You are not able to go against this Philistine and fight him. You are only a young man. He has been a warrior since his youth.” I Samuel 17:33 (NIV)
David’s response shows how God has prepared him: “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of the Philistine.” I Samuel 17:34-37 (NIV)
David’s physical experience of defending the sheep and killing both a lion and a bear prepared his body. His practice of relying on God’s strength to defeat an imposing foe prepared his soul.
Saul placed his armor on David and handed David his sword. An honor indeed!
But as David clunked around in oversized armor and attempted to wield the King’s sword, he knew what he had to do.
“I cannot go in these,” he told Saul, “because I am not used to them.”
He returned Saul’s armor and Saul’s sword. David’s gifts and experience were not in sword-fighting and astute army planning. His body was not prepared for war under the weight of armor. In the unfamiliar, defining scenario, David reverted back to what he knew, what was tried and true: a sling shot, a few smooth stones, and an unwavering faith in the God he served.
He would trust God with the remainder of the job he himself could not do.
The God who had strengthened him to save sheep from a lion and a bear. The God who strengthened his faith during those solitary weeks in the wilderness.
He relied on God, and as David and Goliath faced off, God delivered.
God used David’s stones to knock the giant down. Great celebration ensued as the Philistines fled the land.
David did what he knew. His secret weapon was his stellar spiritual training. He had practiced relying on God. David was well-versed in doing what he could and trusting God to make up the difference!