Let’s look at David when he challenged Goliath.   David ran to the battle line (see 1 Samuel 17:48).  

​Clearly, David had no fear.  None whatsoever. In fact, David ran quickly.  Death was not on his mind.   David’s focus was not on death.  Get this.  It wasn’t even about his stones and slingshot.    It wasn’t about the size or the strength of his adversary either.  The enemy.  Goliath. 

Notice his conversation.  Notice his focus.

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”  1 Samuel 17:37a ESV

So, what was David’s strategy? David fueled his faith in the LORD. David remembered what the LORD had done for him in the past.   This gave David complete confidence in what He could do.   David’s faith was in the LORD.  Nothing or no one else.  

So, something trying to intimidate you? Challenging you? Are you facing a battle?  Reflect on God’s greatness.  Put your confidence in God’s ability.   Be like David.  Fuel your faith!

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!

At one point, David is having a conversation with the king.  King Saul.  David is trying to convince the king to let him go fight the giant.   They go back and forth and finally the king tells David to go ahead. (see 1 Samuel 17:32-37) 

The king then arraigns David in armor.   Maybe the king thinks, “Well, at least with the armor on it might soften the blows.  Silly kid!”  🤷🏽‍♀️

But David takes the armor off.   He is going to battle with a sling shot and some stones.  Let me see.  Five stones in a sack to be exact.  

And he defeats the giant with just one stone, the first attempt, which lands smack dab in the forehead of the giant.  Bet that giant didn’t see that coming.  

So, what do you make of that?  

David chose not to wear Saul’s armor.  The armor, which I might add, was not made for him.  David was not accustomed to it.   In the past, David did not fight the lions, tigers and bears, oh my, with this armor.  

In other words, David didn’t try to go in someone else’s stuff to do battle.  He used what had worked successfully in the past for him.  

So, what am I trying to say?  Do you 😉

Each of us has skills, talents and abilities.  Some God has been crafting in us throughout the years.  And He wants us to use them.  Whether in battle or just in every day life.  He continually prepares us for whatever comes up in our lives equipping us with what we need.

So, do you!!!  God has given you all that you need.  You are equipped.  Take off whatever is holding you back and do you!!!

​Just like David did - Do you! 

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!

One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.”   1 Samuel 16:18 ESV

I guess I should give you some background.  Saul, the king, is being tormented by a harmful spirit.  Get this.  The harmful spirit is from the LORD.  And Saul’s servants know it.  Guess they had the spirit of discernment. ☺️ 

So, in First Samuel 16:18, the servants tell Saul about a man who can provide him some relief.  

The man they are speaking of is David.  

Check that out.  The servants knew David well, and this was before he became king, and even before he fought the giant.  Look at how they describe him.   Skillful in playing an instrument, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, in other words, he looked good.

Oh, and they knew the LORD is with him.

David.  The one who tended sheep.  David.   The shepherd boy.

My takeaway:  
Do what you do well.   Be the best at what you do.  No matter what the assignment.  You really never know who is looking.  You never know who is paying attention.  Just do what you do well.

Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM!