May 26 – 1 Samuel 17:38-58, 1 Samuel 18 John 16:5-33, John 17:1-5 Psalm 68:1-6

1 Sam 17:40

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Why 5 stones? We know Goliath has 4 brothers. Was this was a statement of intent from David? Who knows? We don’t know what David knew – he may not have known about the brothers of Goliath (Although he and his men would eventually face them all).

Maybe David didn’t know the first stone would do the job. Maybe he did not know how the rest of the army would react when Goliath fell.

It’s likely that David was simply making sure he was prepared for whatever happened.

There is a lot that David didn’t know – other than the fact that God would give him the victory. Even when we step out in faith – prepared and knowing God is with us… it pays to be prepared.

1 Sam 18:5

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

David did not rise through the ranks because favour was on him from the king. Yes, he’d killed Goliath. That made him a legend. But sustained success came from continually succeeding. 

David didn’t rest on his last victory. He kept on pushing forward. He didn’t talk about what he’d done in the past because he was too busy getting victories in the present. That’s a good way to live. 

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

You know what? That verse says it all. So… let this verse just stand: presented without comment. 

Ps 68:5-6

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling.

God sets the lonely in families,

he leads out the prisoners with singing;

but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Sometimes we get the wrong idea about God in the Old Testament. But this is who He is: Father to the fatherless. A defender of widows. He is the God who care for those who still have families but are lonely anyway. He sets the prisoners free. 

He cares. He is there for those who cry out.