As we scour the Old Testament for encouraging stories, the one that just leaps at us of course is young stripling David facing that huge giant from Philistia.
(a) There is no "self" in David's demeanor before the giant.
(b) Goliath has ridiculed, insulted, blasphemed the God of Israel, who is also the God of the whole earth.
(c) David is not thinking of winning a victory as young men are prone to think; his heart is deeply touched by the glory of Christ's Being and His divine character.
(d) Therefore he forgets "self" in his overwhelming purpose to honor the Lord.
(e) Goliath has repeatedly blasphemed and challenged the Lord; for David, "self" is crucified with Christ; come what may, David devotes himself to the honor, not of Israel, but to the God of Israel.
(f) In a beautiful demonstration of the relation between "faith and works," David selects those five smooth little stones in the brook; it would not be good if David just prays "O Lord, please defeat that terrible giant!" Prayer is good; let's not denigrate it in the least; yes, we believe in prayer, and in prayer meetings; but sometimes action is needed besides just to pray.
(g) You and I could never have functioned in this crisis, for we don't know how to use slingshots skillfully.
(h) But the Lord used that skillful technique to win a great victory for the gospel.
(i) And that is what the Lord asks of each of us: let us consecrate what we have, humble as it may be, to His service. You may think that your level is the same "low estate" that Mary the mother of Jesus spoke of in Luke 1:48.
(j) But once you confess your personal "low estate," the Lord works to lift you up, because that is His character.
(k) The Lord does not work to put us down, but to lift us up.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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