Faith and Courage
One thing you may have noticed these past four weeks that we've been talking about faith: Faith takes a lot of courage.
One of the best stories of courage in the Bible is the story of David and Goliath.
"Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and
ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let hime come down to me.
If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but
if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us."
~1 Samuel 17:8-9
At almost 9 feet tall and covered in armor, Goliath was a formidable opponent. For 40 days he issued this challenge, met only by fear and trembling from the Israelites.
About this same time, Jesse was concerned for his three eldest sons who were in the battle. So he called his youngest son, David, from tending the sheep and gave him the assignment to deliver food to the battle. When David arrived at the battle and heard Goliath issue his challenge, and went to Saul and said:
"Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this
Philistine." ~1 Samuel 17:32
David is able to convince Saul to let him go against Goliath. David rejects the armor he is offered and instead picks up five smooth stones and takes his sling to face the Philistine. Goliath was offended that such a young, unseasoned warrior came against him. David answered Goliath by saying:
"Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I
come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom thou has defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand...
that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." ~1 Samuel 17:45-46
Then David takes a stone from his bag and puts it in his sling and smites Goliath in his forehead, and Goliath falls to the earth defeated.
We all will face Goliaths in our life - addictions, envy, greed, fear, doubt, pride, selfishness, depression, temptation, etc. Remember that every Goliath can be defeated.
What gave David the assurance that he could defeat Goliath? Faith in God!
How did he develop that faith in God?
1. David was right with God
"And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him."
~1 Samuel 18:14
2. David knew God was with him.
"...for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands." ~1 Samuel 17:47
3. Small victories preceded David's big victory. Those small victories gave him the confidence that he would be successful against the giant Philistine. When he arrived at the battle and Saul felt like he was too inexperienced to face Goliath, David told Saul that while tending his father's sheep a bear and a lion came and took one of the lambs. God helped David slay the bear and the lion, and David was confident that God would help him slay the "uncircumcised Philistine," too:
"David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion,
and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."
~1 Samuel 17:37
4. David knew he had a weapon that could defeat the giant, and he chose the five best stones he could find to help him. When facing our Goliaths we must choose which stones we will use to assure our victory!
"What polished stones will you select to defeat the Goliath that is robbing
you of your happiness by smothering your opportunities? May I suggest
the stones of Courage,Effort, Humility, Prayer, and Duty... For the stone
of courage will melt the Goliath of fear. The stone of effort will bring
down the Goliath of indecision and procrastination. And the Goliaths
of pride, of envy, of lack of self-respect will not stand before the power
of the stones of humility, prayer, and duty." ~Thomas S. Monson
Daily Challenge: Every day for 30 days in a row,
I want you to say the following out loud at least 10 times each day!!!
Be sure to say it cheerfully and enthusiastically!
This scripture is found in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
You've now completed this challenge 29 days in a row!
Be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done!
You are almost at the end -- Keep going strong!
You've now completed this challenge 29 days in a row!
Be sure to congratulate yourself for a job well done!
You are almost at the end -- Keep going strong!
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