David.

David and Goliath. You know the story. A boy takes down a giant, with a slingshot and stone.

With fresh eyes, I read 1 Samuel again.

I was numb to seeing just how sovereign God is in the story. How did I miss Him?

Leading up to the battle, God purposefully puts David in the exact locations He is supposed to be in--to be anointed, rushed with the Holy Spirit, to hear the war cry from Goliath and then to march confidently into the fight.

In 1 Samuel 16, when David was anointed as King, when God literally picked and pulled Him out of a group of other "more qualified leaders"--David remained a shepherd and remained a worship leader and remained a servant. Even though his identity was King, he remained. He served and did his job, until God put him where he needed to be. Do we trust God to direct our steps in such a way?

"Then Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all your sons here?' And he said 'There remains yet the youngest, but behold he is keeping the sheep.' Samuel said to Jesse, 'send him and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here'....and the LORD said, 'Arise and anoint him, for this is he'...and the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward." 1 Samuel 16: 11-13

The next time we hear of David, as he is being called upon from Saul, he is "with the sheep" (16:19)

His circumstances didn't define or dictate his identity.

His vocation did not take away his true identity as King.

Before we see David in 1 Samuel 17, we meet the "champion" he is up against. By the world's standards, he is the best. Goliath has offered to fight on behalf of his side against any champion that Israel puts forth. The problem is that the people of Israel are terrified.

When David is sent on a mission from his Dad to go check on his brothers in battle, he hears Goliath's cry.

"David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard them."

He spoke the same words as before. But this time, "David heard them." Hello, Gods perfect timing.

David responds immediately. He marches so confidently into the battle without hesitation--because he believes God.

Your faith can lead to Godly confidence to do battle on behalf of God and His people.

When you choose disbelief, you choose defeat.

"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (17:26)

David is quickly dismissed for being too young, for not having the right qualifications or experience. He doesn't back down. He knows his identity. David believes in the One who is fighting for him and with him. He has seen provision. He has seen God deliver Him from the hand of lions and bears. He believes God.

"The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the law of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine." (17:37)

David takes what he knows, his shepherd tools, and goes forth.

"You come to me with a sword, 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. This day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword or spear. For the battle is the LORD's and He will give you into our hand." (17:45-47)

How much more can we do for the Kingdom of God, when we aren't focused on where we are supposed to be, what we are supposed to do or how we are supposed to get there--but we are focused on WHO GOD IS and HOW BIG AND MIGHTY AND FAITHFUL HE IS.

Won't He do it.

God will appoint and anoint and direct our steps. He will place us in battle, but will we be confident to let Him use us for His victory, so that His glory will be displayed?

David's confidence is in the Lord. What will you speak into today, this day, with the same confidence in God? Will you tell anxiety, depression, insecurities, addiction, resentment, "The Lord will deliver you into my hand and I will strike you down..."

We all face giants. How many can be slain with but a stone, if we choose to believe God?