The Power of a Slingshot

Last night I was reading Max Lucado's book "Cast of Characters" -- a book where he takes people in the Bible and uses their story to illustrate the way ordinary men and women can be used by God to His purposes.

I was struck - as I often am - by the story of David versus Goliath.

For those of you who know me, you will know how much of an affinity for David I feel.  I see in David elements of myself: leadership, strength, virtue, a heart for God but at the same time a tendency to rely on ourselves, failing to trust God, and going about things in a way contrary to God's will for my life.  David is me, I think, only 3,000 years ago.

What struck me yesterday though was the way in which David went about defeating Goliath.  Let's review the story briefly: The Israelites are on one hill, Goliath and the Philistines are on the other.  A valley separates the two warring factions.  What fills the valley, however, are the taunts of a 9 foot 4 inch neanderthal named Goliath, cursing the Israelites and taunting them with promises of certain death if any of their soldiers dare face him.

David, a young boy of about 16, comes to the front lines of the battle to deliver food and supplies to his older brothers who are part of Saul's army.  While he is there the taunts of Goliath start to grate on him so much that he asks the Israelites: "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26).

How awesome is that that a boy of 16 asks an entire army -- basically -- what on earth are you people doing, allowing this chump to call you out?  In a brief moment we see how much David's sensibilities and faith are offended by a brute from Gath.

As the story progresses, David manages to convince King Saul that HE will deal with Goliath -- since there are no other takers.  At first Saul begs off, saying David is too young, but David insists saying: "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God". (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

There is something profound about that line -- David is not saying to Saul that he will defeat Goliath because the giant has offended David alone (he has) but because Goliath had offended God.  David is stepping up, stepping forward to deal with the menace with the POWER of God behind him.

While Saul tries to arm David with his own armour, David declines saying it would prove too distracting -- and sets out with five rocks from a nearby creek, a stick, and the power of God behind him.

Goliath sees David and laughs -- a skinny teenager up against one of history's biggest menaces?

But - and this is what really inspired me - David lets loose a battle cry that should serve as an example to all of us who face giants in our own lives:

(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 hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  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."

We all know how the battle ends - a rock from David's slingshot hits Goliath in the forehead, killing him.  David cuts off his head -- the victory is the Lord's and the Israelites emerge victorious BECAUSE of God -- and because a boy named David demonstrated the faith that could move mountains.

Right now I am battling a giant -- actually, I am battling quite a few:

- Depression

- Fear

- Thoughts that are not of God but are being dumped in their by the enemy

- Sins and regrets of the past

One great big four-headed giant that is confident I will lose and who tries his level best to scare the crap out of me on a daily basis.

But if I learned anything from the David versus Goliath story it is that ANY giant in our lives can be defeated by the grace and power of God.  So what if we just have a slingshot and a bit of a faith -- look around you and see all that God provides you with to fight the battle we are in:

- Armies of the Living God -- angels... HIS angels, surrounding you and protecting you: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11-12).  Just because you can't see the angels doesn't mean that they aren't there -- I know they are with me and my wife right now.  I've said I think we have more angels guarding us during this time than the US President has Secret Service.  Take comfort in that.  These angels are not just run of the mill warriors - they are battle-hardened and experienced in fighting against spiritual giants.  God has commissioned them over you and me -- and they are some of the best soldiers to have on your side.  Think of them as the most elite and strongest military force on earth and then multiply it by a million -- that is how tough these guys are... because they have been trained and empowered by God.

- Saints -- lots of them -- cheering you on: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).  This isn't a joke -- this is biblically true.  Jesus, Noah, David, Job, the disciples, Solomon, Esther, Mary... these are just a few of the folks around the throne of God, watching you battle on God's personal pay-per-view.  They are cheering you on... big time... they know how tough the battle is, but they also know what God knows... that the home team always plays better when the crowd is behind them all the way.  So when you think nobody is there cheering you on... look up... you may be able to hear the Throne Room of God cheering you towards the finish line -- lead by God himself.

- The Body of Christ -- this is your earthly army... and it is tough.  For every prayer warrior that says a prayer for you, God gives you just a bit more strength.  EVERY prayer reaches his ears.  Look at the example of the death of Lazarus... John 11:3 tells us that Mary and Martha "...sent word to Jesus that... someone you (he) loved is sick".  Their prayers reached Christ's ears.  So to do the prayers of your earthly army - empowered by an all loving and knowing God - reach the very ears of the one who saves.

- The Word of God -- Your slingshot, your sword... whatever you choose to call it, hide it in your heart and use it to pummel rocks at your giant.  It WILL defeat ANYTHING.  There is power in the Word, my friends... which is why in Ephesians Paul calls the Word "The Sword of the Spirit".  Hold fast to it -- no giant can defeat you if you are holding tight to it.

- The Armour of God - One of the things I love most about David is that he doesn't cloak himself in man-made armour.  He cloaks himself in the courage and faith that comes from knowing God.  Pray it over yourself.  Daily.  Ephesians 6:10-18.  There is nothing stronger than the armour of the living God.  Put it on, know you are being guarded, and fling that rock at your giant.

David's battle cry is also amazing -- go read it again and see in there the confidence with which he proclaims victory BEFORE Goliath is even defeated.  That is how David was able to win.  Not because he was confident in his own abilities, but rather because he was confident in the abilities of the One who had ALREADY won the victory.  Would that we were even an ounce as faithful.

I know giants are scary -- they puff themselves up, the toss you about and they threaten to crush you.  The reality is that there is an even bigger giant and His Name is Abba, Jehovah Jireh, God, I Am, Yahweh... and no matter how big your own personal giant may be, HE can and WILL defeat it.

So let loose your battle cry, fling that sling shot and be confident that "...

the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down..." (1 Samuel 17:45).

Battles are tough, giants are scary -- but there isn't anything as scary as an angry Lion of Judah and His Armies on the prowl for those who would deign to hurt his children.

Be a David today.  There is power in God's slingshot.