Preparation

I’ve always loved the story of David and Goliath. Since early childhood the story has been read and taught to me by a variety of teachers. I have studied it numerous times myself. It’s one of those stories that we all love, hero versus villain, the underdog triumphs. The small, young David goes up against the mighty giant Goliath. I always wondered what in the world would possess him to just march right out there on that patch of desert armed with a slingshot and five small stones to face such a formidable foe. What was he thinking?

In a recent study of the life of David, I realized what I had been missing. David had been sent to the battle field not to fight, but just to deliver lunch to his brothers, the real warriors. While there, he was so incensed by Goliath’s continued taunting of the Israelites, that he took responsibility for what must be done. In I Samuel 17:32 he said to King Saul; “Let no one lose heart on account of this Phillistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Talk about confidence! Why would this young shepherd boy believe that he had what it took to take on the giant, Goliath?

The answer appears only a few verses later. After Saul questions David’s ability to confront the giant, he replied in verse 37; The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Phillistine. There it is. While David was fulfilling his responsibilities as a shepherd, God had been preparing him for the very task he knew would someday be his destiny. While performing what seemed like an unimportant job of herding sheep, God had strengthened him, taught him, and given him the confidence needed for the task at hand on this most important day.

It was the same with Moses. While in exile in the desert for forty years, God was molding him to be the very man who would lead the nation of God, Israel, out of bondage. Just like David, there he was out in the desert, doing a menial job, but all the while God was working his plan and preparing them for the works he had already laid out for them.

As I look back over my life now, I know that God has been doing the same with me. While I was busy living, God was doing his thing. In retrospect, I can see so clearly now what He was doing in so many cases. In times of neediness He was teaching me to rely on him alone. Early in our marriage He taught me that our union could only be as strong as our relationship with him. In times of abundance, he showed me the blessing of giving. As we raised our children and ministered to countless others he was preparing me for the very thing I would be doing now. In times of hardship and disappointment, He showed me that He is faithful. All the while He was strengthening me, refining me, and moving me to a new level of faith.

Just like David, God has been preparing me for the very things he had laid out for me long ago. And just like David, I can now face the giants with a confidence that only comes with time and testing. In the past I would shrink back from the the giants that came my way feeling like I was very inadequate and helpless. Now I know different. Now I know that like David I can march confidently out to face them knowing that I too come in the name of the Lord Almighty!