Day 20: 1 Samuel 17:31–58

Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine (v. 40).

When David volunteered to fight the giant, Saul promptly dressed David in the king’s armor. Imagine this picture: a young shepherd boy, dressed in the armor of the middle-aged king who was twice his size. Is it any wonder David could hardly walk, let alone fight?

David made a wise choice that is a lesson for us: “‘I cannot go in these,’ he said to Saul, ‘because I am not used to them’ ” (v. 39). What wisdom from such a youth. David was comfortable enough with himself to say, “This just isn’t me.”

So David shed the armor of Saul, picked up five smooth stones, took his shepherd’s sling, and went out to meet Goliath—in the power of God. You know the rest. No giant will ever be a match for a big God with a little rock.

David’s example teaches us some wonderful, practical truths we can use to deal with the giants in our lives. First, he illustrates what God’s Word tells us—that we are loved, gifted, and blessed. We can do anything God calls us to do through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). We must develop more confidence in God’s Word than in the opinions of others.

Second, David reminds us to measure the size of our obstacles against the size of our God. Goliath was nine feet tall, with 140 pounds of armor shielding him. We tend to measure our obstacles against our own strength. We often feel overwhelmed and defeated before the battle begins. I am not suggesting that if we measure our obstacles against God our battles will be effortless. David still had to face his giant obstacle and use the strength he possessed, but his confidence in God caused a simple pebble to hit like a boulder.

Third, David shows us our need to acknowledge an active and living God in our lives. Look how David referred to God in 1 Samuel 17:26: “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

We’re often intimidated in battle because we are uncertain of our faith. But we must remember we don’t stand in victory because of our faith. We stand in victory because of our God. Faith in faith is pointless, but faith in a living, active God moves mountains.