Devotional - May 17, 2004

Gath was Goliath's hometown. Years after fearlessly confronting the giant in front of God, the Israelites and the Philistines army, David stood in front of Goliath's king and shook in his boots. Why?

If you haven't learned this before, today's lesson is one that can help you understand appropriation. David needed a weapon and that was the only available for him to fend off king Saul who was right behind him. David received Goliath's sword from the priests at Nob before walking blindly into Gath.

How much good did the big sword do for Goliath when he faced God's man on mission? The answer is "Not much," because David's weapon of choice did give him an automatic victory simply because it was a trophy of a previous victory. Sometimes God chooses our battles, but too often we make war on our own. David had more power when he was a lad with a sling more so than when he stood as a warrior with a big sword and reputation.

After healing a blind man. Jesus revealed what David would later learn: "This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John 9:3) David forgot what he said as a young man: He bragged on God's superiority to Goliath, "This battle is the Lord's!" Jesus never forgot who owned the battles he faced. He was always doing the Father's work; He knew His responsibility and He knew He was standing in the Father's glory.

Perhaps you are living off a previous victory, surviving off your good reputation. Still, you find yourself less than victorious even though you seem to be facing a lesser adversary. That's exactly what happened to David in Gath.

David may have been influenced by what others said about him and had more confidence in his own ability than in God's. We really don't know for sure, but one thing is evident. When you're face to face with someone bigger than you are and you have no confidence, it's time to retreat. You need to get your attitude right (confession and repentance), ask God for help (pray) and return in God's power and not your own (faith).

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1Sa. 20:1-21:15 Jn. 9:1-41 Ps. 113:1-114:8 Pr. 15:15-17 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society