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.

Devotion based on 1 Samuel 17:50

Ancient armies, including Israel’s, used slings. Don’t think of a child’s slingshot—a stone from a skilled slinger could kill. Israel’s camp probably included many good slingers that day.

So why was David the first to meet Goliath’s challenge? Fear. Israel had won military victories, but Goliath and the Philistines presented them with a challenge they decided was too big. They forgot that they were Israel, God’s people.

David wasn’t afraid. He was angry. And he was confident that the Lord would protect him. David told his challenger: “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 Samuel 17:47).

What challenges you? Perhaps a certain sin has great power in your life right now. The temptation comes along, and we say, “This one’s too big. All I can do is give in.” Maybe an unbelieving friend ridicules Christianity. You respond, “He’s so intelligent, so witty. I’ll just smile and nod through his tirades because there’s nothing else I can do.” Do we so easily forget that we are God’s people?

Jesus looked like a failure on the cross, but he wasn’t. He bore our failures. All the times we gave into fear instead of calling on faith. Our Champion rose again and continues to live in us, assuring us the battle will finally end in heaven. He continues to live with us, giving us the strength to meet all the challenges we face.

The giants out there are big and strong. However, they’re not nearly as big and strong as the One who is with us.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.