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 overlooked 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

to help prepare him for the battle. David took one look at the armor

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 sling shot 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 be-headed 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 need 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!

What About You?

1. What battle are you in right now that you need God’s power

to face?

2. Will you run the other way or hand your struggle to Him and

stand up in faith letting God fight the battle for you?

From God's Garden Tools by Gina Burns