Monday, August 17, 2026

Today, we’re going to pick up on the story where David is about to face off with Goliath:1 Samuel 17:32-37 NLT“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”David saw his life of being alone in the shepherd’s field as preparation for just such a moment. He saw the protection of his sheep from the mouths of lions and bears as training for protecting God’s people from the hands of a giant. David didn’t see a difference in the circumstances because he had the same God helping him defeat the threat in both places.Listen to the shepherd-warrior’s words once again: “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT) No, you aren’t fighting lions and bears or even giants, but the principle behind David’s mindset can be yours today.Can you remember a time that God gave you the strength to do something beyond your own ability? A time where you prayed and asked for help, and God showed up and gave you strength you didn’t know you had? Picture that situation.The same God is with you now. He has never left you since He formed you in your mother’s womb. He is here to help you in every battle and struggle your life.Fill in David’s words with your own right now. When I pause, in your own mind, fill in the blanks for you: The Lord who rescued me from … will rescue me from this too!”Let’s pray: “Father, thank You that You have always been with me. Strengthen me and fill me with Your courage today to face my giant. Like David, I know You are with me. As above, so below.” - Amen