When God has control of the stone…
Jonathan Fleming
November 18, 2023
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1 Samuel 17: 48-50 (NRSVA)
48 When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand.
From making imprints in stones to create memories, we turn to the story of a stone that made an imprint in the forehead of a giant that would be remembered for time immemorial!
But that is not all that this stone represents…
David, a mere shepherd boy, stood before the much feared Philistine giant Goliath complete with muscles and heavy armour. Instead of opting for the ill-fitting armour and a weapon that he could hardly swing, David approached the challenge armed with his faith in God and armoured with the trust that God's power would see him through.
Today we are challenged to face the challenges that surround us at times, trusting that, with faith and conviction, we will overcome them. Although our battles may not always be against literal giants, they can manifest themselves as personal struggles, societal injustices, or even when trying to pursue our dreams…
Many of us will have heard someone say, ‘I just don’t know where they get the strength to carry on.’ Courage can arise from unexpected sources. It demonstrates the power of determination, where one person's resolute faith can inspire and lead to victory. David's triumph is a testament to the idea that, with faith and determination, we can confront our fears and accomplish the seemingly impossible.
In our own lives, we can draw inspiration from this passage to face our giants—whether they are doubts, challenges, or adversity—with unwavering faith and determination. It encourages us to confront our battles, fortified by the belief that, like David, we too can overcome the giants in our path, relying on our faith and inner strength.
May we never allow ourselves to underestimate the potential that lies within each of us.
May we be inspired to trust in our God-given abilities and to be guided by God in using them.
Like that single stone, may our faith help us to conquer our own giants, no matter how formidable they may seem.
Let us pray
Gracious God
Whatever giants we stand against in life
May we know that you are there
as our strength and shield.
Amen.
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