Preparing for Giants

My husband, Tim has been doing the Children’s Moment in our church once a month since the first of the year. I enjoy being a part of the audience since I never really know what he’s going to do. He’s been known to have some pretty crazy props for his presentations. It’s not good to sit too close to the front because you might get hit by flying objects. Just saying!

Well his topic this week was about the well-known story of “David and Goliath.” Even if you are not versed in the Bible, you probably can recall this one: small boy goes up against a giant and succeeds against all odds. In many respects, it is a tale of an underdog taking on a sure winner. But is it? What moved the odds in David’s favor?

As Tim set the stage for the story, he asked for one of the children to volunteer to be David. Of course, no one volunteered but he convinced a red-headed young man to play the part. David was said to be of ruddy complexion and there are those who think he may have had red hair but no one truly knows. Tim tied a cloth carpenter’s apron around his waist to serve as a shepherd’s pouch. In it was 5 smooth stones like those David would have collected from a stream. He put a shepherd’s staff in his right hand and a make-shift sling/exercise band in his left. He made a great David.

They didn’t practice throwing any stones. Thank goodness! But as Tim dressed our make-believe David, he spoke of how David would have unknowingly prepared for his battle against Goliath every day of his life. He was a shepherd dedicated to protecting his father’s sheep. Sheep are susceptible to many predators. Today coyotes or dogs would be likely predators but in David’s day, he had to ward off bears and lions. At his young age and small size, a sling shot would have been his best weapon. He didn’t have television or video games to entertain him during the boring times alone with the sheep. So he would have practiced his shot over and over until he was an expert marksman. It says in the Bible that he had killed bear and lions with his sling shot so he knew he was capable of downing the 9 foot Goliath. But even so, what gave David the courage to go up against the giant? Everyone else including David’s older brothers were afraid to challenge him and they were seasoned warriors.

David was prepared for giants in another more important way. Even at his young age, he had developed a strong relationship with God. He had studied the writings of Moses. At the prompting of God, he had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king. Later in his life, David wrote numerous songs that are recorded in the Book of Psalms. His words reflect his confidence in the Lord. “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” His awe of God is exclaimed when he states, “The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” I can visualize the boy, David, staring up at the night sky as his sheep rest beside him conversing with God. He knew the Lord long before his encounter with Goliath. When the moment came for courage, David acknowledged where his strength originated. He explained to King Saul, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” When David approached Goliath with only his staff, his sling and 5 smooth stones, the giant taunted him. But David’s response was direct and confident, “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. This day the Lord will hand you over to me…All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

So what giants are looming on your horizon? All of us have them. Even the children listening to Tim’s story have giants they will face: the bully at school, the tough exam, try-outs for the All Stars. As adults, it seems that our personal “Goliaths” are getting bigger every day. Our success against giants will be determined by how well we prepare. Yes, we must study and practice our skills like David with his sling but ultimately our greatest strength will come through our knowledge of God and our conversations with Him. Our relationship with the Lord gives us the confidence to face our giants even if it appears that we are the underdog. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s!

As the Independence Day week-end festivities are coming to an end, I am reminded of what it really took to get us where we are today. The old saying “Freedom is never free” is so true. But most of us have never had to fight for our freedom. Do we really understand how strong and courageous the original patriots had to be back in 1776? Their participation in the revolution was treasonous to the British crown. They risked everything for our freedom. If needed, could we, would we do the same? Do we have what it takes to keep our freedom?

Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, their leader, Joshua faced a similar question. He was commanded by God to be strong and courageous. God said this not once but three times to Joshua. Was Joshua feeling a little unsure of himself at that moment? We don’t know since the Bible doesn’t really tell us but I would imagine he was. Just think about his situation. He had just lost Moses, his mentor of 40 years. He was leading a people not known for their obedience to rules and the company of Israelites who wandered in the desert was huge. A census had been recorded in the Book of Numbers that totalled 601,730 men over 20 years old or more who were able to serve in the army of Israel. This didn’t even count the very young, the very old and any of the females. Joshua’s task would have been like moving the city of Indianapolis over the Jordan River. How was he to manage them all? God gave him three promises to hold on to each time he commanded him to be strong and courageous.

He first told him, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” In other words, “You, Joshua, are the man for the job.” He was a born leader, a great military tactician. God was telling Joshua that He was going to carry out His promise through him.

Next God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Be careful to follow and obey the law my servant Moses gave to you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” God promised him success in the task set before him if he would follow His word. He told him to “…meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Finally God said, ” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God saved the best for last. No matter what, He promised, “I will be with you.”

Fear and discouragement can be mighty deterrents to accomplishing the small as well as the big tasks in life. We may never be asked to risk everything for a cause such as our forefathers almost 240 years ago. However, I believe that we all are given gifts and talents to use for the glory of God. How we choose to use these attributes is up to us. We can bury them in the ground in fear, we can use them in negative or harmful ways or we can use them to help our fellow-man and promote God’s Kingdom here on earth. Stepping out from fear in the little things by showing love and care to those around us prepares us for the bigger tasks God may set before us in the future.

So look to the example of Joshua when a task that seems too big to handle looms before you. Know that you are gifted. Follow God’s Word. Step beyond fear and discouragement. You will be successful. The Lord is with you wherever you go. This is His promise. Be strong and courageous. He is walking beside you and His Spirit resides in you always and forever.