Shepherd To King-Day 5

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 readthe 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:

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.

9 Comments
  • Deneen Mosley
    Posted at 05:18h, 02 September Reply

    Great devotional read

  • Kim Leigh
    Posted at 07:48h, 02 September Reply

    Thank you for sharing Gods word with us Bre. This was just the message I needed to hear today.

  • Court Neil
    Posted at 08:21h, 02 September Reply

    Thanks, Bre!! Great reminder!

  • Alfred Robert Ceaser
    Posted at 08:36h, 02 September Reply

    Bre, very timely post. Thank you for sharing your life and love of God with us and with me personally. You’re a blessing.

  • Dayo Afekare
    Posted at 08:43h, 02 September Reply

    Amazing Bre! Thank God for His gift in you. Indeed, we have to trust in God always and lean not on our understanding.

  • Karen Williams
    Posted at 08:45h, 02 September Reply

    Thanks for following his voice and paving the way!

  • Penny McKenney
    Posted at 10:32h, 02 September Reply

    I love how David being so confident through his faith that he’s like, Bro this outfit is a joke, I’ll just take what I know and few stones and trust God. Lol. I have to say my faith over these last two years has crumbled, really all I have is a few stones like David I carry in my spirt, and I can’t tell you how many days more then not I say Lord it’s all I have right now, you have to do the rest. I suppose really that’s what he wants any of us to do at any giving time is surrender what feels sooooo heavy, and even on a good day I can still feel the weight of baggage I truly don’t t want clinging on. Thank for reminding us about the little Shepard David , but that it isn’t the size but the integrity, will, heart is all God is asking from us when we have days we can’t put on our suit of armor that feels sooooo heavy to wear. Lord you continue to know our journey. I give what I have left everyday but you know my heart. ❤️

  • Sally Kuntz
    Posted at 13:28h, 02 September Reply

    Thank you, Bre, for sharing your heart with this devotional. May God bless you as you continue to trust and follow Him.. I did the same thing 27 years ago, walking away from a much higher-paying job (with much better benefits) to go where He led me to use gifts He had given me, and I have never regretted it!

  • Jessica Ruggieri
    Posted at 07:15h, 03 September Reply

    He is the great equipper! And isn’t it wonderful trust that He knows what He is doing!

Post A Comment

MIDDLETOWN LOCATION - COMING SEPT. 24thMORE INFO
+