Beyond What We Seem to Be

“Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33, emphasis mine)

I LOVE the story of David and Goliath.  Big nasty dude yelling stupid things about God and God’s people. (Um, best not to do that).  But one day a boy comes to camp.  Goliath continues yelling, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (v10). Goliath is not just asking for any opponent; he wants a man.  A grown, trained, mature – “give me a challenge” – man.  

There is but one response. David.  Scholars believe him to be about seventeen(ish) when he told King Saul “send me.” Saul’s response says, “you are but a boy, an adolescence.”  The situation is beyond you, beyond what you are.  

The rest of the story is amazing.  Saul tries to get David to wear his suit of armor. Nope.  “I cannot go in these…” (v39). There was no hesitation on David’s part.  There was no “give me a minute while I figure this out.”  He takes his sling, stick and smooth stones and RUNS toward Goliath.  I must add to paint the picture correctly; Goliath’s shield-bearer was out there too (v41). Not so tough now big guy! David swung his sling, the stone hit the target.  Down went the giant of a man.  Goliath called for a man, King Saul declares a mere boy.  A boy did what God called him to do, “…in the name of the LORD Almighty” (v45). 

What is God calling us to? 

May we too not hesitate when we are called beyond what we seem to be.  Perhaps too young, untrained, too small, or possibly too big, too old.  Do not let others measure us against what God can do through us!  They will always come up short. When someone tells us, “You are not able to…. You are only…” Let us not begin a wardrobe change – try to fit into someone else’s stuff (armor).  But take up what we know (sling & stones) and RUN toward what God calls us to, declaring as David did “…the battle is the LORD’s” (v47). I’m sure if you wish to yell, “For Narnia!” God will understand.   

Now go…

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)