The Battle

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” ~ 1 Samuel 17:40-50 NIV

As I was contemplating what to share this morning, my heart was heavy for a friend I know who is facing Goliath today. And heavy for another that is facing a similar Goliath in his life.

And yet I’m excited for others facing a challenge that they are prepared to overcome... but it will be a battle.

And I can’t help but to think how David victoriously faced Goliath. Fighting this overwhelming giant in the name of the Lord. Fighting and winning for His glory. Fighting and winning in His strength.

“For the battles is the Lord’s”

As I think about and pray for friends, acquaintances and former coworkers who are facing job loss, life choices (some their own, some cast upon them), who are facing illnesses, who are facing tumors and heart surgeries, who are facing life struggles with children and parents alike, I am drawn to David facing Goliath. Drawn to His confidence in the Lord. Drawn to how he faced the giant with a stone and sling and walked away victorious, his giant no more.

As we face our giants, as we face our fears and our concerns, as we face what life throws our way, let’s try to stand as David stood. Stand with strength and confidence in the Lord. I know that it is far more easier said than done, we can see that in the fear and trepidation of all the other warriors who heard and saw Goliath. But David stood strong. Strong in the Lord. An example how we can and should face our Goliath.

That doesn’t mean that we shall not be afraid and nervous and concerned and frustrated, but Jesus, Himself, reminds us to “ Fear not”. Reminds us that He is with us “even until the end of the age.”

And in lieu of sling and stone, we can face our giants with the power of the cross, with the power of prayer, with the power of the Holy Spirit, with a multitude of prayer warriors, praying that God will work in and through the doctors...

… Praying for healing...

… Praying that the issues, illnesses, tumors will all suddenly be non-issues and non-events…

… Praying that God will reveal Himself and a miracle will be seen...

… Praying that God will help prepare for interviews and give words to say and actions to match those words...

… Praying that The Lord will stand with, protect, and hold us in His mighty right hand…

… Praying that through it all, Jesus will somehow be glorified.

Knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

As you face your Goliath, give Jesus your burdens and your fears, concerns, issues, illnesses... Trust in Him and He can and will give you peace beyond understanding and confidence, courage and strength to face Goliath

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem