By Gina Caswell Kelly
We have been studying David for a bit in Sunday School. He is truly one of my favorite Bible characters. There is just so much depth to him. There is more written in the Bible about David, than any other character, other than Jesus. We know more about his youth and then the rest of his life than anyone else. Why is this? I think David plays a key role in allowing us to see what God values in us. Plus, I think he plays a key role in showing us what displeases God.
One of my favorite stories of David, is of course, the story of him facing Goliath. Most everyone thinks of this as an underdog wins story. But, if David were standing here today, he would say that you have absolutely missed the point. David was just a youth. Experts guess him to be 15-17 years old at the time of the battle with the Philistines. David shows up at the battle to bring his brothers some food, and to check on his brothers for his father. The first thing he is met with is his older brother belittling him and berating him in front of the army. David could have just slunk back at this point, allowing his brother’s words to take away the confidence that God had placed in his heart. David just turns away and pretty much confronts the army about why they are shaking with fear when the one true God is on their side! He is appalled at their fear. He quickly chooses to face the giant with a slingshot and a stone. He stands boldly and says, “that they all may know there is a God in Israel!” Oh my goodness! I love that line.
That all may know there is a God in our world. We should all be bravely living our lives showing the world that we do serve a great and powerful God. A God of strength and might and a God of love and grace.
What giants are you facing in your world right now? Finances? Death of a loved one? Illness? Kids making poor choices? We all have giants in our lives that we have to face. We can look and see as the world sees, or we can look with the eyes of David as he faced Goliath, and see that the battle is not ours alone, but it is the Lord’s.
As I told my class on Sunday, it just makes me downright giggly to think that the same God who stood with David and directed that stone, is the same God who is standing by me in whatever situation I find myself. The very same God! The same power and strength. The same love and grace.
Live your life boldly. Live your life so that others can see the God you serve. Live your life so that others will know there is a God living in you! It will make a difference!
