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.
2 comments:
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..
...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.
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