January 21, 2012

David and Goliath

It has been a rough week. The last of the moving chores left me physically exhausted, and software training at work drained me mentally. Between the two I felt I was dangling above a precipice, clinging to the ledge with finger nails. Then, several hours of testing with the new software loosened my grip to just one small finger. I looked down. There was no bottom to the abyss.

In desperation, I spent the entire evening studying, taking notes and devising a Quick Guide to the new software, and fell into bed drained, too tired to pray or think. Before sleep finally claimed me, I made a vow I would not be defeated. Someway, somehow I would master that program, and all of the other new tasks, and I would be proficient with all of them.
In the early, pre-dawn hours, I lay for a moment, going through a litany of things yet to do, yet to learn, and my resolve and determination wavered. I prayed, begging God to once more rescue me.

I rose, made coffee, and contemplated whether to start studying first, or read my devotions. After a moment's thought, I realized studying, as important as it was, could not be put before God. It was the wise choice. The first Scriptural reading listed in my devotional,  Living Faith, was from 1 Samuel: 17:32 - 51.  Drum Roll. It is the story of David and Goliath. Yep. You read that right. David and Goliath.

I laughed, re-read the story, and accepted the answer to my prayer. David recounted past triumphs where God had aided him, and then armed with confidence and faith in his Almighty God, he stepped forward to meet his enemy. We all know the rest of that story. 

Like David, I too can recount other times God assisted me in slaying my lions and  bears, and He will help me with my Goliaths too.

My last reading from, Streams in the Desert, speaks about faith versus defeat, and quotes Daniel 2:27, 29 - the three young Hebrew men saved from King Nebuchadnezzar's furnace. If there is a great trial in your life today, do not acknowledge defeat. Instead, continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you "more than conquerors" (Rom. 8:37), and a glorious victory will soon be apparent. May we learn that in all the difficult places God takes us, He is giving us opportunities to exercise our faith in Him that will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name."

I step out this day, armed with faith and courage to face my lions, bears, and Goliaths. I can taste victory.

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing! With God's help all things are possible! Now get some rest so you can slay some more giants! ;)

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  2. What an inspirational post....There's no encouragement better than the testimony of another believer.....God is never late and always on time with our instructions and with the plan we are to follow.....

    He definitely shined the light on the problem.....

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  3. Thank you, Sheila. Rest is definitely on the agenda. And, maybe the giants will stay home for just a little while.

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  4. Nancy, thank you for stopping in. I love reading stories of faith others post. Each one offers me encouragement and hope, and God's timing is always perfect, even when it doesn't match what we believe should happen. And therein comes faith and trust.

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  5. Lions and tigers and bears...oh, my! LOL And they are all defeatable! Yup, the Lord and our faith will defeat all the giants. May your body, soul, and spirit rest!

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  6. This is great...thanks so much for sharing, it just made my spirit leap. I thought of you yesterday when I heard a song about the lion roaring inside us...it is because He lives in us!

    Blessings as you continue to set at His feet, using His armor to slay the giant before you.

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  7. Lynn, giggle! You have a great memory and sense of humor, as does God, doesn't He? He never misses and opportunity to drive His point home. I will have rest, eventually. Soon, I believe!

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  8. Jeanette, I haven't heard that song, but yes, lions seem to be a repetitive theme in my spiritual life. Lions, and Lilies. God is amazing isn't He? I pray you slay your own lions and Goliaths in your life as well, and find rest for your body and soul too.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing this post. It's just what I needed today! I'm facing my own Goliath and weary in body and mind, but this gives encouragement and hope to continue on with God's strength and help. May you be blessed in your work, continue in your inspired writing and find peaceful rest as you need it.

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  10. Connie, I add you in my prayers that you too will slay your Goliath and find rest for both body and soul.

    I am pleased my experience offered you hope, as our merciful God offered it to me.

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