Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 17:33-36 – And Saul said to David, “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.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” (NKJV)

David’s defense of his preparation to meet Goliath is based on earlier, and perhaps lesser, battles. He is not venturing into unknown territory, but has conquered before. Saul could perhaps testify to having killed 6’5” warriors, but somehow hadn’t grasped God’s role in his victories. If he had, perhaps he would have found the courage to fight another battle. Likewise, when we think we win “me-sized” battles on our own, we gain no faith for those battles that are larger than us. We must come to see that God has been fighting with us at every level. Even when we think we’ve won because of our wisdom or strength, we must realize that God has fought with us. David could have thought himself as superior with a sling, but he knew the real source of his victories, and that knowledge led to ever-increasing faith.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org