Scripture: 1 Samuel 17 v 1 - 11; 38 - 51.
There will come a day when the enemy sends a giant
against you usually in the form of a gigantic problem that causes you and those
around you to quake in their boots. This is what happened when the Philistine
giant, Goliath, challenged Israel to send their best man against him to settle
the battle.
For a month King Saul hid in his tent while Israel
trembled as Goliath laid his daily challenge against them. One day the young
shepherd, David, was sent to deliver some food to his brothers and was shocked
to hear what was happening on the field. He announced that he would take on the
uncircumsized Philistine himself. He was declaring that he, David, was under
God's Covenant of protection while the enemy was not.
Saul offered David his very strong and heavy armour.
David tried it on but it was too big for him. He took instead something that he
was adept at. His sling and five stones.
There stood Goliath about 10 foot tall with massive
armour and a huge sword. David had faith in the power of God and his sling.
Simple, unshakeable faith. His first stone killed the giant, who was still
mocking the slender boy in front of him.
What we know, WHO we know that is true and accurate, is
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who by one sacrifice of Himself settled our enemy
forever. By His Blood He destroyed satan's power forever for those who
believe. When Peter declared You are Christ the Son of God, Jesus responded,
Upon this rock will I build My Church. He had a play on names as Peter's name
means small stone but the Rock is the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus is the Rock in our sling when we by faith call upon
Him in our time of need no matter how big our 'giant' is. People will counsel
us to solve things by various worldly means. This would be like wearing Saul's
armour - far too big and heavy for us.
David had faith that God would remove this mountain of a
man and using one stone God did not fail him. When we rely on our one stone,
Jesus our Rock of Ages, He will not fail us either.
God called David "A man after My own heart".
Not because David was sinless but because he had a soft conscience. He always
knew when he had disobeyed and was quick to repent and stay in right standing
before God. This enables God to keep us safe if we too keep short accounts with
Him.
So if you have a giant problem facing you then bring it
to the Lord, the Rock, who will crush that giant and give you the victory.
David won the hearts of Israel that day and eventually
became their king, but first God had to crush the new proud jealous giant
called King Saul who stood in David's way.
Prayer: Almighty God our Father, by Your word we live.
You say Trust Me in all things and we do Lord. We trust You to slay our giants
and give us victory in all things. In Jesus' name. Amen.