The King’s Heralds sing the song Only A Boy Named David and it goes something like this:
Only a boy named David
Only a little sling
Only a boy named David
But he could pray and sing
Only a boy named David
Only a rippling brook
Only a boy named David
But five little stones he took
And one little stone went into the sling
And the sling went round and round
And one little stone went into the sling
And the sling went round and round
And round and round
And round and round
And round and round and round
And one little stone went up in the air
And the giant came tumbling down
I hope you will have this favorite children’s song stuck in your head and that it will remind you of the points I’ll share now. The point of the song seems to be that a little, can do a lot. Think of the boy that entrusted his fish and barley loaves to Jesus which led to the feeding of hungry thousands with leftovers to spare.
It is true that David was considered just a boy in comparison with the huge and experienced Goliath. It’s true that he didn’t take a shield or any body armor onto the plain but just a sling and some stones. But there was a lot more to David than met the eye. He had been prepared in a couple other and far superior ways than Goliath had been for their standoff.
While Goliath was expecting the hand to hand combat he was an expert in, David didn’t even bring a sword to the fight. Goliath actually noticed that David had a staff and said in 1 Samual 17:43, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” He probably didn’t expect a sling and stone that had been practiced and practiced on practice targets and predators alike as he protected his flock in the fields. I do believe that David must have been dedicated to his target practice because he was apparently also very good at playing his lyre which was an instrument with probably 10 strings that would be plucked when played solo. Not just anybody gets to come into the kings presence to play. When he was recommended to Saul as a musician who was worthy to play for the king it was said of him in 1 Samuel 16:18, “He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
David had a lot going for him and he wasn’t a child, as he said, he did fight lions and bears. Of course the best thing that he had going for him was that the Lord was with Him. He was dedicated to his craft and he was dedicated to His God. He credited God with rescuing him from those lions and bears and he gave God the credit even before he sunk the stone in Goliath’s skull as he famously said in 1 Samuel 17:45-47, “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 deliver you into my hands….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 about us? Are we dedicated to God and the responsibilities He’s given us? Even if they seem as humble as shepherding, a job David’s older brothers cited to belittle him when they wanted him to leave the battle front. If we are dedicated like David, we can expect challenge and we can expect victory. We will grow in talent and ability so that when the opportunity presents itself, we will be ready and steady because of our time in the gym training with the ultimate coach, our Creator, Savior and soon coming King.
One final point I’d like to make is that David was using a far superior weapon than Goliath. It’s very much like a handgun against a sword. It is possible the sword could win, but if the marksman is skilled, it is highly unlikely they will lose. As we seek to hold our ground and even recover that which the devil has taken may we not be afraid to use the best weapons or technology available with commitment to do the best quality we can.
I’m so grateful for our church’s growing use of YouTube, blogs (wink, wink) and our website aren’t you? May we increasingly use all the best of what is available in reaching people where they are whether it be through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, documentaries, shows, music, podcasts, audiobooks, marketing or other avenues. But beyond the cutting edge tech that God can certainly to use, we are told in Ephesians 6 that we aren’t battling against flesh and blood in our struggle against evil but against heavenly forces far beyond our abilities. Please take a moment to check out verses 10-18 to find out what armor we should all wear for the warfare we are in right now and every moment of our lives. The enemy is stronger than any human unless, of course, that human, like David, is trusting in God, using the same abilities God has made available to His people for thousands of years.
May you fight the good fight of faith in your home, in your school or work place, in your community and church and everywhere you find yourself with the powers most effective,
those of a connection with God through prayer and Scripture and loving relationships. Let your commitments in these areas lead you in all other areas. Prioritize Jesus and His calling above all else in every responsibility you have and you can’t lose. No matter the size of the giant, with God it can come tumbling down. - Pastor Nick
