David Was Prepped
I know the main emphasis in the story of David and Goliath is about the little guy defeating the behemoth. It's even become part of our common language--when a start up takes on an established megalith corporation, the New York Times calls it a "David and Goliath." Nothing wrong with that, but it's better to add back into the mix that God fought for David in 1 Samuel 17.
But something else has hit me as I've been reading the story of David and Goliath: I've been struck by the way that David's life had prepared him for the big battle. He'd been prepped. First of all, he was an armor-bearer for Saul the king (so he knew battle), and secondly, he had fought bears and lions already. As David remarks to Saul just before battle (1 Samuel 17: 36):
Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.
I take something from this: God doesn't let us face the big moments in life usually without some preparation. A lot of times it's probably not all related to the later event--what do shepherding and fighting a gargantuan Philistine have in common? Still we're given the means now for what's coming tomorrow. The key is to learn today. Then we're prepped for the big moments to come.
although the story has its metaphorical value....one thing I never unerstood: Goliath was completely outgunned. A slingshot was a far superior weapon to a spear or sword. Kind of like some body with a knife fighting somebody with a gun..
ReplyDelete...Today I was sent a similar message while working at the coffee shop. In preparation for the Peace Corps I have been telling people that I feel anxious, but my anxiety is not fear based, it is based in inadequacy. I do not feel prepared enough for my assignment. But, today when someone asked me if I felt prepared, I began to tell them that I am beginning to feel like I have been prepared for this assignment on purpose. I told them that my life experiences, however unrelated, will be utilized during my service. The amazing part of the story, is that those thoughts had never crossed my mind, until I opened my mouth and began to answer the question. In answering that man's question today, God spoke to me and through me to calm my anxiety. Even more amazing, I didn't realize any of this until I read your blog post just now....thank you.
ReplyDelete