Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
1 Samuel 17:31-37
When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for 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!”
A little boy was walking by a pet store on his way to school one day, and he looked over and noticed four black puppies playing together. After school he ran home and pleaded with his mother to let him have one of the puppies. “I’ll take care of it” he said, “I’ll feed it, take it out, and everything!” Finally the mother relented and gave him the okay to buy a puppy.
After determining the boy had enough money, the pet store owner took the boy over to the window to pick out his puppy. After watching the puppies the boy said, “Uh, I’ll take that one.” “Oh no,” said the pet owner, “you don’t want that one, he’s crippled. Notice how he just sits there; something is wrong with one of his legs, so he can’t run and play like the rest of the puppies. I’d choose another one.”
Without saying a word, the boy reached down, lifted his pant leg to expose a chrome leg brace to the owner. “No,” he said firmly, “I think I’ll take the puppy in the corner.” What disqualified the puppy from being chosen by others is what most endeared him to that sweet little boy.
Young David was the most unqualified of the whole lot of Israel to fight that big giant named Goliath. He was too young, too small, too weak, and too inexperienced in the eyes of the world to even have a chance. However, in God’s eyes He was exactly the perfect person to slay the seemingly superhuman soldier. See, God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. He doesn’t use the strong to do His work, He uses the weak things of the world to shame the wise. Today, if you feel like a crippled little pup in God’s Kingdom, then you are exactly who God is looking for. Just bring your inadequacies and insecurities to Jesus. David had confidence in Jesus and chose to step out by faith. Today, you might look weak to the world, but set your eyes on Jesus. Have confidence in the Lord and His Word. Remember that those who seem most unqualified are often times the very ones God wants to use to do His work. Just trust Him and step out in obedience by faith. No giant can withstand the power of God through you when you do.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I feel so inadequate. I do not feel qualified to tell others about you or to make an impact for Your Kingdom. However, I believe nothing is impossible with You. I know You are able to do anything. So Lord, today I choose to trust in You. I will step out and tell others about You and live a bold life for Your glory. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.