"Faith in the Field"

Scripture Passage

1 Samuel 17:32-19:17

Scripture Focus

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” (1 Samuel 17:32 NLT)

Observation

Two days out of three now, I’ve had the pleasure to read about men of faith seizing opportunities by faith. A couple of days ago, it was Jonathan scrambling up the side of the ravine with his armor bearer to attack the Philistine outpost. Today, it’s David, taking on Goliath.

There are a couple of things that strike me as significant. First, is David’s simple faith in the greatness of His God…the same kind of faith Jonathan exhibited. Jonathan’s declaration? “…nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” (1 Sam 14:5). Now David says to Goliath, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (1 Sam 17:45).

Oh, that such confidence would characterize my walk with Jesus!

There’s something else I see about David that’s significant—David knows how to apply lessons learned in previous experiences to current circumstances. When challenged on his abilities to take on Goliath, David stands on what he’s learned in previous, similar experiences—and yet attributes the anticipated victory not to his experience, but to God’s greatness! "The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (1 Sam 17:37).

I quote “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8) along with the best of ‘em. David puts that reality into practice. What God’s done before, He’s quite able to do again.

Oh, that such wisdom would characterize my walk with Jesus!