THE SLING, THE STONE AND THE SWORD.

1Samuel 17:50 KJV
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Dear Believer,

David, as a boy, had a weapon that boys used. The sling and the stone could be dangerous, but they weren’t weapons of war as such. Hardly anybody ever went to war with slings and stones. Real warriors wielded swords and shields. Before this time in history, the Benjamites were famed for their dexterity with the sling and stone during war, but it seemed warfare had advanced beyond that. (Judges 20:16).

So when the champion Goliath faced the Israelites and terrorized them with words for forty days, no one thought of slings and stones. However, the real warriors there, including King Saul who was a giant himself, were petrified. They couldn’t even use their swords.

Then came David. The young shepherd boy was scandalized that an ‘uncircumcised’ Philistine was defying the army of the Lord. David Got the description right. While these israelite soldiers saw a giant that was going to kill them, all David saw was a trespassing philistine.Those fearful soldiers of Israel who scampered for cover at the sound of Goliath’s voice were actually the army of the Lord, and the giant Goliath was merely an uncircumcised Philistine.

1Samuel 17:26 KJV
And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

When young David offered to fight Goliath, King Saul and the Israelites felt embarrassed at his dressing and his weapon, the sling and the stones. They could imagine the Philistines mocking them: “Hahaha! Is this the best you’ve got?” He tried getting David to wear a proper armour, but they couldn’t find one that fitted him. The boy was too thin and the armors too big.

The giant felt insulted when he saw a shepherd boy coming at him with a shepherd’s staff. I can’t blame Goliath; I would feel insulted too. If Goliath was going to die at all, it seemed he would die of laughter.

But things were about to get very serious for Goliath. David could not wield the sword, but he was a deadly shooter with his faithful sling. To make it worse for Goliath, David was an anointed shooter full of faith. He shot down the garrulous giant with just one stone.

The despised shepherd with the disdained weapon prevailed.

Believer, you may not have access to great things or connections or a lot of money now. You may be occupying a low level. What you must not allow people to do is to despise your sling and stones. For now, that is all you have. For now, that is what God has given you.

If God could use David to remove the shame of Israel with his sling and stones, God can use you with the little you have now to do great things.

David eventually dropped the sling and the stones for the sword and shield. You could say that he grew past that level. He became a master at the use of the sword. You will eventually grow past this level, but that may take some time. While you are on this level, you can still play giants.

Don’t look at the people with ‘proper weapons’ and despise your own slings and stones. Train yourself to use them well. Those little things can kill giants too.

First, you need to get yourself well trained. David didn’t sit idly with his sling. He trained himself to use it till he could kill lions and bears with them. Goliath wasn’t the first big thing he shot down. Whatever ability God gives you must be honed to perfection. The giants, the lion’s and the bears are coming, and what seems to be your disadvantage – your inexperience, lack or size – are the very thing that will work against the enemy.

Finally, know that God is the One who makes the difference. Skills without the anointing of the Spirit can kill the skilled person. With all David’s skill, he would have been minced by the giant’s spear. Trust God and walk in His anointing.

Psalm 18:29 KJV
For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Believer, what you have now may not be much, but what you have now is all you need now. More will come, but before them, use all you have now by faith to win your battles.

Have a great day!

Your friend,
Deon.