A Boy, A Bully, and a Bulwark

I Samuel 17:47. “And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us.” (NLT)

Illustration courtesy of www.micernest.com.

The hills reverberated with intimidating words hurled across the valley. The bronze covered nine foot frame was bathed in the morning sun as the armies lined up for yet another face-off. For forty days now the Philistines and the Israelites had been battling. Every morning and evening the war cries echoed across the valley only to be replaced by the pounding of hundreds of Israelite feet fleeing from the scene of terror. The bravest warrior’s heart melted with fear when the Philistine champion, Goliath, appeared on the scene.

Goliath single-handedly shut down the entire Israelite army – that is until the shepherd boy, David showed up. When David heard the giant’s threats and saw the reaction of his countrymen, he was disturbed. “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” he asked. Ignoring the disdain and accusing comments of his older brothers, David continued to inquire about the situation.

Filled with indignation towards the bully and with confidence in his God, the shepherd boy agreed to accept the challenge that the tormenter issued. He would meet him alone in the valley, armed only with five stones and a sling, but covered by the protection of his constant companion – the  Almighty One Who had been his bulwark during all his dangerous escapades as the herdsman for his father’s sheep.

Goliath sneered in contempt at the youth’s brashness. “Am I a dog?” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick” Cursing the insolence of one so young he screamed, “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals.”

Ignoring the wild beating of his heart David replied, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty – the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you . . . and everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us.” 

Instinct took over as David ran out to meet the giant, drew a stone from his shepherd’s bag, and inserted it in his sling. Raising it above his head he hurled the stone with great force. The missile found its mark and the giant dropped to the ground where David finished him off with his own sword.God won a mighty battle that day because a young boy recognized the taunting of the enemy for what it was – just a lot of hot wind in the face of his powerful God.

When you hear the great bully of the ages taunting you in your circumstances, remember God is your strong bulwark. He doesn’t need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle not yours.

Love,

Mama