1 Samuel 17 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

1 Samuel 17:48-49

As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

 

Last night, I was lying in bed, and God brought to my mind the story of David and Goliath, specifically the part where David throws the stone. I was wondering whether God made David’s arm super strong or Goliath’s head soft at that moment, or maybe it was the angle at which it struck him?

 

Then it hit me that it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that God did it! But it showed me how quickly I can become focused on details that don’t truly matter. What truly matters isn’t so much the how but The Who!!

 

In today’s world, it’s so easy to get distracted with the things around us and not focus on the One who created them! If the devil can get us arguing about things that don’t matter, then we will miss the point! The point isn’t how David did this but that he trusted God and God used Him –despite what was happening around him!!

 

There are a million ways the enemy can distract us, and only one way to overcome those distractions, and that is focusing on Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior!! I pray that we all can focus more on the Answer and less on the distraction of this world!!!

 

I love you all, God bless, and Glory to God!!!

 

 

1 Samuel 17:46,47

“This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

David’s confidence wasn’t in himself, the army around him, his weapons or lack thereof, or anything of this world but rather in the One who created it! I love how bold and courageous his faith is here. How he isn’t going to back down just because his enemy is stronger and more experienced. David doesn’t buy into the lie standing in front of him but believes and trusts in the God who goes before him! Having faith like this and walking in it can not only have an effect on your enemies but on those who are standing with you.

Notice how David says “the whole world” and “all those gathered here”; this includes God’s children, the Israelites. David’s statement of faith wouldn’t have bearing on the pagan Philistines only but on God’s children as well! David’s words were both a war cry against his enemies and a rallying cry for his brothers. We see one shepherd boy’s faith in God ignite a nation. Imagine what would happen if the entire Body of Christ were to do thisI

1 Corinthians 16:13- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

God bless! I love you all, but His love is never-ending! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

 

1 Samuel 17:51

Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.

 

The entire Bible points to Christ, and this story is no different. David is a shadow of Jesus who is to come later, and Goliath is one of the enemies. You see the enemy taunting David and coming against God’s people day and night. You see David using the enemy's own weapon against him, much like Christ and the cross.

 

Jesus, walking in obedience to the Father, surrendered Himself and allowed the enemy to put Him up there. The enemy was trying to destroy Him and the hope those have in Him, hoping that He could have the victory over our Lord and Savior and His people, but God had other plans. The very weapon, the cross, that the enemy thought would bring him victory is the very thing that sealed his fate. Christ’s victory on the cross was the final blow to the enemy’s hold on us! Those of us who confess and believe are set free from his power over us.

 

Yes, this life will end one day but not eternally! We have a hope, and a future only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship that we didn’t earn or deserve but one that He thought valuable enough to surrender to death, to pay our penalty and debt! How great and mighty is the God whom we serve! Victory is the Lord’s. Our job is just to show up for the battle! Lean into His mercy, grace, power, and love today!

 

Philippians 2:8 - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

 

1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

God bless! I love you all! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!