"He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd's bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath.." 1 Samuel 17:40 (NLT)
The story of David and Goliath was one of my favorite Bible stories growing up. I thought it was so cool that a shepherd boy had the courage to take on an opponent that was probably over 3 times his size. When I was young, my focus was all on the boy, but as an adult, my focus is not necessarily only on the boy, but on his faith and obedience.
When David went out to face the giant Goliath, he took five smooth stones with him in his shepherd's bag. I wonder why he did that? He was only going out to face one giant. Did he think he had better take four extra stones just in case he missed the first time (or more than once)? If you'll take the time to read 2 Samuel 21:15-22, you'll discover that Goliath had four brothers. When David faced Goliath he was confident that he would have the victory - I don't believe that he was afraid of missing- because he knew that the Lord was with him. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! (1 Samuel 17:46) David knew that the Lord had already delivered Goliath into his hands before he ever faced him. Since he knew that he would kill the giant, he also knew that in doing so he might have to face his brothers who might want revenge. So David took five stones with him- one for Goliath and one for each of his brothers.
Sometimes when we face a "giant" in our lives, it doesn't always come by itself- sometimes it has some "brothers". Sometimes you don't just have one problem, you may have two, or they may come in triplicate. Be on guard, there may be another problem you have to face as a result of the first problem. But know this, it doesn't matter how many "giants" you face, if the Lord delivers you from one, He'll deliver you from them all- just like He did David. David knew when he gathered the stones that if God could take care of one giant with one stone, He could take care of five giants with five stones. If the Lord has defeated one giant on your behalf, He will defeat any more that come your way. Just trust in the Lord like David did—and take enough ammunition!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
God's Garage Sale--Mission of Love
John 3:16--"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him might have everlasting life."
A lot of us have had garage sales or we have gone to them. Many things in garage sales are broken and look terrible. We go through our closets and the rest of our home cleaning out things that we don’t want or use. I have even gone as far as putting gifts in the garage sale that I know I will never use (of course, non of the gifts from the readers of this devotion).
One day God had a garage sale. However, it wasn’t a garage sale, it was a love sale. It also was not because He didn’t want or use what He sold, it was to show His love to us.
God’s Love is free. There is nothing that we can do to deserve His love. You might wonder about this title, “GOD’S LOVE SALE”. His love is free to us but it cost Him everything. It is impossible for us to comprehend with our human minds how much God loves us.
One day, God cleaned out His heart and gave His beloved Son for us. My heart has broken many times over the agony that God must have experienced. Not only was He giving His Son to die a cruel death, He was sending Him on a mission, a mission that he could not even look upon.
I wonder what would happen and how many hearts and lives would be changed if one day we had a love sale that was free to others but cost us. Let’s open our hearts and give of our time and talents.
A lot of us have had garage sales or we have gone to them. Many things in garage sales are broken and look terrible. We go through our closets and the rest of our home cleaning out things that we don’t want or use. I have even gone as far as putting gifts in the garage sale that I know I will never use (of course, non of the gifts from the readers of this devotion).
One day God had a garage sale. However, it wasn’t a garage sale, it was a love sale. It also was not because He didn’t want or use what He sold, it was to show His love to us.
God’s Love is free. There is nothing that we can do to deserve His love. You might wonder about this title, “GOD’S LOVE SALE”. His love is free to us but it cost Him everything. It is impossible for us to comprehend with our human minds how much God loves us.
One day, God cleaned out His heart and gave His beloved Son for us. My heart has broken many times over the agony that God must have experienced. Not only was He giving His Son to die a cruel death, He was sending Him on a mission, a mission that he could not even look upon.
I wonder what would happen and how many hearts and lives would be changed if one day we had a love sale that was free to others but cost us. Let’s open our hearts and give of our time and talents.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Let’s Make A Deal
"...and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go”:" 1 Kings 2:3 (NIV)
When I read this verse, it sounded very familiar... I had heard it in Joshua 1:7- "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”
The verse in 1 Kings is King David's charge to his son Solomon. David was dying and Solomon was getting ready to take the throne as king of Israel. The verse in Joshua was given to Joshua by God just before he was to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. God wanted both of these men to be prosperous in what they were about to do and where His will for their lives was taking them.
God wants us to be prosperous as well. He wants us to succeed in that which He calls u to do. So he tells us how that this will happen. In both verses God gives us the key... and condition... to being prosperous wherever we go. "Walk in His ways, keep His decrees, commandments, judgments, and testimonies. In other words... be obedient to His commands and you will prosper wherever you are. Do you want to be prosperous wherever you go? Then obey His commands. What a great deal….we try every other way to be prosperous but on our own, it will never last. If we follow God’s recipe for success, it will last for eternity. God has a great deal for us, if we follow his commands.
When I read this verse, it sounded very familiar... I had heard it in Joshua 1:7- "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”
The verse in 1 Kings is King David's charge to his son Solomon. David was dying and Solomon was getting ready to take the throne as king of Israel. The verse in Joshua was given to Joshua by God just before he was to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. God wanted both of these men to be prosperous in what they were about to do and where His will for their lives was taking them.
God wants us to be prosperous as well. He wants us to succeed in that which He calls u to do. So he tells us how that this will happen. In both verses God gives us the key... and condition... to being prosperous wherever we go. "Walk in His ways, keep His decrees, commandments, judgments, and testimonies. In other words... be obedient to His commands and you will prosper wherever you are. Do you want to be prosperous wherever you go? Then obey His commands. What a great deal….we try every other way to be prosperous but on our own, it will never last. If we follow God’s recipe for success, it will last for eternity. God has a great deal for us, if we follow his commands.
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