Shepherd To King-Day 5

02 Sep Shepherd To King-Day 5

Scripture:  1 Samuel 17:38-40-NLT- “Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.”

• Please click here to read ‭the full chapter to gain greater insight and understanding: 1 Samuel 17

Observation: In this passage, David feels weighed down by the earthly weapons that Saul has offered him. He decides, instead, that he must rely on the gifts God has provided him to bring him to victory: Gifts of fearlessness, courage, humility, and obedience. Any reliance on worldly equipment would prevent David from fully surrendering and putting his trust in the only one who could defeat Goliath.

Application: As a child (or even an adult!), maybe you’ve experienced being knocked down by an ocean wave over and over again. Just when you think you’ve developed a strong footing to make your way back to shore, another wave pushes you back down again.

We are never free from the recurring waves of invasion. The waves of the world will always try to draw us further from our relationship with God. They will distract us, lie to us, torment us, deceive us. There will always be a Goliath to fight. However, when we choose to fight back, we must remember that we have been entrusted with a unique set of gifts and talents that allow God to help us fight our battles. He equips us with what we need to make a Kingdom-difference in the world around us by using these gifts. David may have had his doubts, but he trusted God, and found comfort and strength in his Word, knowing that he had a specific purpose only he could fulfill for God.

A few months ago, I felt a tug to leave my role in the corporate world and pursue a career path that would allow me to integrate my spiritual life with my skill set. God asked me to follow him in the same way Jesus asked many of his disciples to do the same. I took a leap of faith, putting my trust in him, and have landed in a space I am grateful to be in.

When we fight battles with the things of this world, we are only welcoming failure and temporary peace. David relied on his faith and God’s strength to protect him. He experienced true victory because putting our faith in God and learning to trust him will never fail us.

Prayer: God, you are worthy of all my trust. Please protect me from any distractions that could prevent me from trusting in you. Reign in me so that I may trust you with all of my heart and mind. I will honor you with all that I own and all that I do. Because of your work in my life, I know that you are greater than anything that fights against me. Strengthen me so that I can cleanse myself of character traits that are not in your nature. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next Steps:

• Join us here tomorrow for Day 6
• Complete Plugged In to discover how you can use your God-given gifts to make a difference.
• Ask yourself: What is competing for your attention or distracting you from trusting God? Do you allow yourself the space to bask in the freedom and peace he has prepared for you?
• Read: Jeremiah 17:7-8; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 91:1
• Watch: Pastor Mark | How Do I Win Spiritual Battles
• Read: Trust – a First15 Plan | YouVersion

Bre Forgione/Production Team Leader

Bre Forgione has been attending The Journey for four years and enjoys serving on the Newark Production Team. She was baptized this past spring and loves joining J-Groups. Bre loves a good cup of matcha, forest trail walks, and spending time with loved ones.