*Day 10 - David*

Today's story is about an incredibly brave shepherd - David

David was the youngest of 8 brothers. He was much smaller than some of his other brothers. David kept his father’s flocks while his brothers went off to fight in the war. David’s people, the Israelites, were in a long battle with the Philistines. The reason it had been such a long battle is because of one man… a giant! That giant’s name was Goliath. Goliath was HUGE! Some people say he was 9 feet tall! Goliath was mean. He told the Israelites that if they couldn’t kill him, he would make them all slaves. How scary! Everyone was too afraid to go up against him. They thought the odds were against them and that they would never be able to defeat someone so big and scary.

One day, David’s dad, Jesse, asked David to go to the battlefield and take his brothers some food. When David got there, he heard all about Goliath. Nobody would go out to fight Goliath because they were so afraid. David started telling people that they shouldn’t be afraid, because God was on their side. When King Saul heard that David wasn’t afraid of Goliath, he asked David to come see him.

32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” -- 1 Samuel 17:32-37

Saul put his armor on David, but it was too big and uncomfortable. So David took off the heavy armor, went to the stream, picked up some rocks, and went to fight Goliath with only a slingshot, and 5 smooth stones.

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down … that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. – 1 Samuel 17:45-50

David went into battle knowing that God would provide. He didn’t go in and take Goliath by his own power, he did it with the tools God had given him. Today, think about the obstacles in your life and think about the tools God has given you personally to overcome these obstacles. David went into battle with a man three times his size because he knew God was going to take care of him. He knew that God would help him overcome his obstacles with his particular skill set. Have faith that God will use what you have to help you through the hard times and help you to overcome what is holding you back. Give everything you’ve got to him, and he’ll help you overcome your obstacles every single time.

“Lord, there are lots of obstacles in my life. Sometimes it is hard for me to trust you with everything that I have. Help me to trust you more. Help me to rely less on myself and rely fully on you. Give me the tools to overcome my obstacles. Forgive me for trying to do it all on my own. Strengthen my faith in you. Take my little and make it a lot for your glory. Thank you for your amazing grace! In Jesus' name, Amen!”