Giants...


Yesterday, our Bible reading brought us to the very familiar story of David and Goliath. To be honest, I read it fairly quickly in the morning. After all, I have heard the story many, many times. I know the characters, the plot, and the outcome. What else could I learn from it?? Later in the day, Adam mentioned that his Bible study notes said that the 5 stones that David collected and used to kill Goliath were not tiny little pebbles like we imagine. In fact, they were probably more the size of a baseball. It was then that I started thinking about the implications of this story. God's power is one of the most most obvious themes in this story. Without an omnipotent God's help, David wouldn't have had the strength or courage to face this taunting giant! God guided the stone directly into his forehead and showed His power through a teenage boy.
However, David definitely had to do his part. This wasn't his very first time handling a sling. I can imagine that while watching his father's sheep, he would occasionally do a little "target practice". The Bible also records that he had killed both a bear and a lion while protecting those same flocks. David's confidence came from the preparation he had done in advance. Did he think that maybe he would one day have to kill a giant in front of the Israelite army? Probably not. But he decided very early that he would be faithful in the day-to-day routines of his life in order to be ready for what God had in store.
This thought challenges me to do my best in every aspect of my life - big or small. I have no idea what "giants" the Lord may bring into my life in the future. I do know that I have His power to defeat them, and until then I will take every opportunity I can to grow and prepare for what's in store!