The story of King David and Goliath is extraordinary. David embodied admirable faith, courage and confidence. My sense is that there are many lessons and messages to us today from this story. For this devotion I employ you to have the faith of David when we face our personal Goliaths. How do we build toward such courageous faith? Here are some strategies I am reflecting on from this story. I encourage you to think of some too!.
1. IGNORE NEGATIVITY
In the story David ignores negativity from his very own brother. See 1 Samuel 17: 28-30 “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before”
I think when we ignore negativity from others, we fill our thoughts with more helpful self-talk/messages and make more space for God in our mind. I also think when we ignore negativity we can move towards what Phillipians 4:8 tells us “ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”
2. REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU
In the scripture reading above we read that David attributed his prior successes/deliverance to God. I wonder if this, in part, fuels his confidence that God will come through again and he will defeat Goliath. What do you think?
I think when we think about times God has come through for us in the past, we disrupt the habit and impulse to worry.
3. EQUIP YOURSELF WITH THE WORD OF GOD
David appears to approach Goliath with such boldness, believing in the Power of God and believing in where his help comes from because he knows the Word of God. David said to the Philistine in 1 Samuel 17:45, “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”.
Like in any relationship, in order to get to know someone, spending time with that person is essential. The same is true for our God, we must spend time in the Word and memorize scripture so we can call upon the power of God and the Word when we meet-up with the Giants in our lives. Spending time in the Word also helps us to get to know God and to hear from him, which will build our confidence and faith as we reflect on His promises.
These are the 3 points that I share with you from my learning from this story. I encourage you to read this chapter in its entirety and to ask God to speak to your heart so you can hear from God.
God bless you all always.
Kindly,
Gwendolyn