One Stone Away

When I became pregnant with our first child it required a lot of faith. The doctors told me that if I continued with the pregnancy there was a chance it could cause me major health problems and possibly my life. I remember thinking that I had God on my side despite what the doctors were saying. For the next nine months, I put all my trust and faith in God that He would see me and the baby through, and He did.

The story of David and Goliath is also a story that required a lot of trust in God. It is a familiar story, but sometimes over-looked and can be found in I Samuel 17. In the story, there was a boy named David who was the youngest of eight sons and was born to a man named Jesse. Jesse sent David one day to bring food to his brothers who were involved in a battle between the Philistines and Israel.

When David was there, he saw a giant named Goliath and asked some men nearby what the reward was for whoever killed him. The answer to this question was King Saul would give His daughter to the man who would kill Goliath and make their father’s house free in Israel. David’s brothers who were also standing nearby were extremely irritated at David and asked him why he wasn’t off doing his job of tending the sheep.

Shortly after this King Saul heard about David inquiring about this giant and sent for him. David began to tell Saul that he would go, and fight Goliath and his God would keep him safe. Saul couldn’t believe what he was hearing from this young man. David continued to inform the king that he has already killed a lion and a bear himself and said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear – He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul then proceeded to clothe David in his own personal armor as to help prepare him for the battle. David took one look at it on himself and decided not to wear any of it because it did not fit him. Instead, he picked up five smooth stones from the brook, placed them in his shepherd’s bag, and proceeded toward Goliath. At this time Goliath was shouting at David, stating he was going to kill him. David however, instead of running the other way, shouts the same things back to Goliath – but not quite exactly. David told Goliath that not only was he going to kill him, but that after he killed him, he was going to be-head him, and would do so with the help of his God.

Goliath didn’t like these words shouted to him and started coming toward David and David stepped toward Goliath. David then reached into his shepherd’s bag, pulled out one stone, inserted into his slingshot and fired it at Goliath. The stone hit Goliath right between the eyes and sunk into his forehead killing him instantly. David then went and beheaded the giant like he said he would, and then it was over – just like that.

What an incredible story of courage, strength, determination, and guts.

Picture David being a teenager and going into battle with this giant and not really having anyone think he could do it. He didn’t have his family on his side or any friends encouraging him. It was just him and his God, which in the end proved to be all he needed.

Also, one needs to not forget that David didn’t use the typical resources available to him for the battle. Instead, he chose something illogical; something as small and seemingly insignificant as a stone. David also took a stand that day in front of everyone. He never flinched or backed away trusting in the Lord for his protection and to prevail, and he did.

David could have seen the giant as a threat, but he also knew deep down his God was bigger and more powerful than a giant that would come his way, and he knew God would have the last say.

Isaiah 54:17 reminds us of this very principle, “That no weapon formed against me shall prosper.”

We all are going to face giants in our lives, but what matters is how we handle them.

Will we run the other way, or will we run toward them in the name of our Lord?

Are we going to choose to go into the battle knowing who we are in Christ?

Are we going to trust God and give Him all the glory?

Mark 9:23 says, “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

You see David had the mindset that God would deliver him and that he already had the victory. So to him the threat of the battle was not really a threat because of who it was he served! What an example his story is to us in the things we face today that seem in our minds to be “giants.”

Each of us needs to remember the God David served and loved is the same God that is here for us. Whatever battle we may be facing is no battle at all to the Lord. He just is looking for those who will stand up in the presence of their enemy and shout, “God is on my side and together we will have victory.”

So, the next time you happen to see a small stone lying on the ground pick it up and really look at it. Hold the stone in your hand and remember that for David it only took one. As you look at the stone remind yourself, you are only one stone away from victory. You must believe it, claim it and receive it.

Go into battle with the faith that God is on your side, regardless of what the situation looks like.

Remember above all, He is your father and your strength and with Him all battles are always won!