The Un-Series: Week 7 Day 5

1 Samuel 17:31-40 (NLT)

31Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

32“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

33“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

34But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

38Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. (NLT)*

Being minimized hurts.  When this happens to us, it is hard to not be either defensive and angry, or feel sorry for ourselves and eventually agree with what others say.  David continued to be minimized in his chat with Saul. David, however, didn’t let Saul’s words affect him; David chose a different perspective.

As David spent time with God in the fields while shepherding, it seemed that God was preparing David without him even realizing it.  Each time David prevailed against a bear or a lion, his trust in God deepened.  David knew God would be with him in the battle against Goliath because He had delivered him in the past.  He had a divine perspective over this battle; one that could only come from walking in close relationship with God.  One that was unveiled and nurtured by time spent with the Lord.  David knew he only needed God, not someone else’s armor, but God alone.  

Is spending time with God a priority for you?  It’s only in time with Him that our trust deepens, leading us to a more divine perspective.