As a child in Sunday school, I learned this song:

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 in the sling,
And the sling went round and round.
And one little stone went up in the air,
And the giant came tumbling down.
       – Arthur Arnott

David, the youngest of eight sons, was considered just a boy of not much worth when we are first introduced to him. Even his own father, Jesse, didn't invite him to the meeting that Samuel the prophet had called, because he was tending the sheep, a vocation that has never been held in very high esteem. But God had Samuel do the unexpected: anoint David as the future king of Israel.

1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel … "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (NIV)

Sometime later, David took food to his three oldest brothers who were involved in the standoff of war between the Philistines and Israel. While questioning the troops of Israel who were standing around in fear of Goliath, the Philistine champion, David got into trouble with his older brother who reminded him of just being a shepherd.

1 Samuel 17:40 – Then [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. (NIV)

Goliath mocked him when he saw the shepherd's staff, calling it a stick.

1 Samuel 17:45,47 – David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. 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." (NIV)

As God's children, we face many battles throughout our lives. We must be aware of the enemy's attacks against our faith. We face fears, sickness, debt, being alone, job loss, bullies, and many other stresses in life. Material things cannot conquer the enemy of our souls. The tools that we must cling to and use are the inerrant written Word and prayer. We must remember what David said to the giant whom he was facing, "The battle is the Lord's."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray for Your Word to be hidden in our hearts to protect us against enemy attacks. Help us to yield our lives to Your care and purpose. As believers, help us to encourage each other by sharing our experiences and our faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Ruth Rowe <ruthjohn.rowe@gmail.com>
Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada
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