A Sling and a Stone

David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

(1 Samuel 17:50, NKJV)

The story of David and Goliath is widely known and narrated in different places, it is a great success story with nuggets of encouragement weaved in the very pictures created by the narrative.  David seemed a loser right from the beginning, he was small, a young man fighting a seasoned warrior who was also huge in size, David did not and could not wear or carry the clothing and instruments of war that people were expected to take up.  To all the onlookers, the outcome of the fight was sealed, it was a fixed fight against David. It is this scene of unequal opponents which makes David’s victory so sweet for all who connect with the story. It is a message that humanity across the years can identify with as it captures the hope of many when facing a situation when on their back foot. 

It is an agreed fact that in life, we are often faced by situations which seem too big for us to handle just as Israel did when they met the Philistines and Goliath appeared in the scene.  We get intimidated just like they were.  The more we look at the mountain, the bigger it grows and the weaker we become.  This reminds me of the response that the spies who went to check on the land of Canaan and they came back with a message of defeat, describing themselves as grasshoppers in the eyes of the descendants of Anak (Numbers 13:33)  Their perspective of themselves as grasshoppers suggested defeat even before the start of a contest.  Brethren, allow me to suggest that though we might think the spies were wrong in their self-assessment, we too do the same whether we voice the defeated picture or we simply tell ourselves in our minds.  It all starts with our minds, how we see the situation determines how we approach it.  The bible reminds us that as a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). We become what we allow ourselves to think and belief and it is said that one cannot rise above his thinking or belief.

Back at David, we notice that he did not consider his own size or strength, but his mindset was strongly anchored on his faith in God, the one who would not fail him, the God who would prove Himself that He does not need a sword of spear to win the fight (1 Samuel 17:45-47).  It is this declared faith in God which catapulted the simple stone from David’s sling right into Goliath’s head, killing him instantly.  Blogs have been written with the message, ‘it matters in whose hand a ball or racket is in’.  The essence of these narrations is that anything however simple could be of most significant value depending on who has it and how it is used.  David’s five stones seemed so ordinary but their impact was nothing ordinary, actually one one was used.  In the same vein, we learn that it matters who is handling the item, the stone picker in this case, David, did not just take any stone but was perceptive as to the ones he chose, he knew what he wanted the stones to achieve.  Beloved, it not only depends in whose hand the sling is in but the stone picker also matters.  It is all a deliberate process.

In our daily lives, we will realize that we might not have all what is required for a given outcome and this realization is useful as it calls us to seek further equipping.  However, even at this point where we feel inadequate, there is something that we have and that could be the sling in our hands.  God uses what we present to Him and it is therefore not a wonder that He asked Moses, what he was holding in his hands (Exodus 4:2).  My brother and sister, you have something in your hand, do not ignore when you search for what you do not have, build on what you already have.  It is not the sophistication of what you hold that matters but the faith and skill to work what you already have.  Let your heart be encouraged in the knowledge that God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).  There is sufficient grace availed to us as we present our weaknesses to the Master. Prepare your unique sling and stone for the next battle.

Thoughts:

How do you see yourself in relation to the mountains of your life?

What is in your hand for the job ahead?

Where have you anchored your trust?

Have you ever been a stone in the Master’s sling and hand?