How to prepare for your Goliath battle
The story of David conquering Goliath was probably one of David’s defining moments in his journey to eventually become King of Israel. What prepared David for this defining moment? David’s faith in God has always been undoubted. I think, David’s commitment to the following two aspects in his life may have contributed to him being prepared to face Goliath.
1. His day job
In 1 Samuel 16-17 we learn about David’s day job. Samuel found David “keeping the sheep” when he anointed him as King. Despite just being anointed as King, David humbly and diligently returned to his day job of keeping the sheep. When Saul needed a harp player, David was called. Where did they find him? Caring for the sheep. Saul employed him as full time harp player and armour-bearer but notice that David occasionally returned to his home town. Why? To feed his father’s sheep. When David’s father instructed him to take supplies to his brothers, David first ensured that his sheep was taken care off by appointing a keeper. Even David’s older brother sarcastically teased him about his day job of taking care of his sheep. Despite a prophet anointing him as King, David did not neglect his role as a shepherd, instead he was reliable, committed and allowed God to train him in practical skills while he was doing his day job.
2. His Weapon
King Saul attempted to prepare David for his battle with Goliath by equipping him with the traditional armour for a King. However, David said he could not use it because he had not tested it. David’s weapon of choice was not the glorious gear of a King, but rather the tool with which he has trained for years, his slingshot. It may have appeared inadequate to the any respectable soldier. However his accuracy was mastered over many years of target shooting (which included numerous misses as well). He became so effective with this weapon that not even lions or bears escaped the power of his shot. David took what he had been given and through training and discipline became a courages warrior.
As a believer in Jesus, we have been appointed Kings and Queens in Gods Kingdom. However, like David, we also requiring training to walk into these roles. I believe God wants to use our day jobs and the weapons he has placed in our hands to train us.
You can be a CEO or a house-wife, an artist or a mathematician. Each job or environment you find yourself in, is an opportunity for you to be trained by God. Its an opportunity to learn about having grace with difficult people, to forgive when you have been treated unfairly, to serve the arrogant, to lift others up when you deserve praise, to be trustworthy and unselfish. In an amongst the industry skills, relational and emotional skills, we learn to see as God sees, not as the world sees. We learn to value what God values and impart truth when hope has been stolen. May you learn to thank God for your day job and learn to appreciate it as your training ground, irrespective of whether you enjoy what you do or not.
God has also given us weapons – one weapon is His Word. God wants us to become skilled in using His word as a defensive and attacking weapon against the enemy. His word equips us to overcome fear, shift atmospheres, bring hope, pray God’s promises and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we learn to discover the power of God’s word to strengthen us and war against the enemy, we become skilled warriors in whatever environment we find ourselves. So when we face a Goliath, we also arrive in God’s name and use God’s weapon because we have been trained in it.
