Focal verses: "'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 delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'" 1 Samuel 17:36-37
Sometimes it's easy, when we read Bible stories we have heard since childhood, to read them without much thought. We know the story, so we skim through it, thinking we know all there is to know.
Reading through the story of David and Goliath, I came across something I had never considered before. We tend to focus on the climax of the story, the grand finale, when David courageously defeated the mighty Goliath. But if we look a few verses before the final act, we can eavesdrop on David's plea to Saul to let this young man get a chance to defeat Israel's foe. We see that David didn't just blindly approach this battle. Sure, he knew it would be won only by the power of God, and he certainly walked by faith. But he also had a little experience to draw from.
I had to stop and picture young David, the shepherd, going nose-to-nose with a lion and a bear. A lion and a bear. That's no small feat! Yet the young warrior knew that credit was due to his Almighty God for delivering him. Could it be that God in these moments, was preparing young David for his destiny with Goliath? God was preparing David for his moment in history, his opportunity to bring glory to his God.
Where are you today? Are you fighting your lion and bear? Going on with your everyday life, fighting battles that seem useless? Are you wondering if there is ever going to be a grand purpose to your struggles? Take heart! David was doing what he thought he would do the rest of his life - tend sheep - and nothing more. Little did he know all God had in store for him!
Or are you fighting your Goliath? When the battle seems insurmountable, reflect on the battles that God has help you win already. God has equipped you for your Goliath, and all you have to do is continue to trust in him. Take heart in David's words to Goliath, "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." (1 Sam. 17:47)
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