Ever have a glass-half-empty person say you weren’t able to achieve a dream or a goal?  Hopefully it drives determination in us, but often times we find ourselves believing the negative.

Why do we do that? Why do we listen to whispers of defeat before we even try?

Having been a Sunday School teacher for many years, one would think I must have learned all I would need to know about David & Goliath, right?  Wrong. Although the printed words never change, God continues to bring a fresh word through the Holy Spirit.

So what makes this story so fascinating?

Well, the obvious of course; a lowly shepherd boy facing what appeared to be insurmountable odds,a mission he volunteered for I might add.

This small boy took down a man, whose stature would tower over the tallest player in the NBA.  It makes me wonder what the birth weight of this guy was, and what did his poor mother have to feed him?

I think you know what I’m talking about if you’ve been around any growing boys lately; their favorite phrase is “I’m hungry,” stated approximately every five minutes.

Here’s a couple of points that resonated with me during this particular reading:

• First, the exchange of words between Saul and David.  This was prior to the main event, which of course in today’s world would have been on pay-per-view.  Saul told David  he was ‘not able’ to go against the Philistine.

 “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”  1 Samuel 17:33.

Looking at this situation through human eyes, you have to admit, it didn’t look good.  David’s confidence however, was in God.  If God allowed him to defeat a lion and a bear, then surely He would allow him to defeat this Philistine. David trusted in God and His faithfulness.

• Second, David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.  I could see gearing up and getting ready, but actually being in a ‘hurry’ and ‘running towards’ the opposing army and the giant man with the sword?  Perhaps it was a strategic move God used to psyche out Goliath, but more importantly,  it was David’s trust in God, and his putting that trust in motion, that brought victory over the enemy.

What if David had lost his momentum and quit the fight before it even started, simply because Saul told him he was “not able“?

Why didn’t he quit?

Because he knew what we should all know and believe, that when God calls us to do something, He will equip us. We must believe and remember that next time we’re called to slay a giant.

When God lights a fire under us, may it never be extinguished.

Lord, help us to trust you like David, having faith to move mountains.  Thank you for your Living Word and the promises you have made to your children. Let us believe like a child, without fear or doubt.  Let us live our lives according to Your will not ours, and press on to accomplish what You have predestined us to do.  May we be used to do great things in Your Name because in whatever you call us to do, you will equip us. To You be the Glory!
In Jesus Name.  Amen.