March 28th

March 28th -- 1 Samuel 17:32-58 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2017:32-58&version=NLT)

David kills Goliath ; Israel routs the Philistines

So David volunteers to kill Goliath.... and everyone thinks he's mad. However, he keeps protesting, insisting he can do it, as Goliath has defied God so God will rescue him from Goliath. Saul finally agrees, but insists on giving David his own armor. David cannot even move in it, and turns it down. Instead, David goes to the stream and gathers 5 smooth stones. He walks into battle with only a sling, those stones, and his shepherd's staff. When David comes out, Goliath, of course, mocks him, as he sees only a small, barely armed boy. David, though, says that although Goliath has weapons, David has God, and God will conquer them all. Goliath goes in to attack, but David pulls out his slingshot and one stone. He hurls it, and it hits Goliath in the head, causing him to fall. So, David takes Goliath's sword out and uses it to cut off the giant's head.

Upon Goliath's death, the Philistines turn and run. The Israelites chase them down and manage to kill them all. They return to the battle place and raid the Philistine camp. Saul inquires upon whose son David is, and when nobody knows, he demands it be found out. As soon as David gets back, Goliath's head in tow, Saul finds out from David his father is Jesse of Bethlehem.

Anyone raised going to Sunday school has heard this story loads before. Don't let repetition render you immune to it. A young boy/young man with no armor takes down a fully-armored, 9-foot giant with a stone, and, of course, God's power. God showed a clear demonstration of His power. God can overcome anyone's "giants", if we are only willing, like David, to trust and do our part. God will ALWAYS come through when we do that. Just remember that when troubles face you. You may be a small, unarmoured and barely armed child facing a huge, armored, trained soldier, but you will always have God.

Well, that's all! God bless! Shalom!