Fridays with David

Read 1 Samuel 21:7-9 – Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul. And David said to Ahimelech, “Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.” So the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” (NKJV)

With Doeg nearby, David seeks a weapon on the chance he will need to protect himself. The only available sword was that of Goliath. So David grabs his former battle trophy, apparently having reached manhood where he can now wield it. This reminder of past victories is a significant way that God encourages David. In his time of potential discouragement, David returns to a moment of victory and finds strength and protection in it. The sword wasn’t only for the physical protection David required, but it brought the emotional strength David needed at the time. In the same way, we can live today in the strength of yesterday’s victories. In fact, whatever your challenge today, God has already proven himself able. Just check your yesterdays…

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Light for the Lost Day . May 6, 2012 . www.men.ag.org