Let’s talk about confidence. Tonight Josiah and I talked about the hospital tomorrow. We will be getting up early tomorrow and headed to the hospital. He has to spend the majority of the day getting blood work done and xrays. He is scared going to sleep tonight. Josiah, this post is for you buddy.
It takes a special confidence to rise up against a giant. David had it. I’m praying you will too. Scratch that, you have it so instead I’m praying that you see it.
1 Samuel 34-37;
David said, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine.”
That was David’s message when Saul asked him about fighting Goliath. Actually, Saul made fun of him: Saul answered David, “You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced—and he’s been at this fighting business since before you were born.”
Here’s the background. For over a month Goliath has been tormenting the Israelites twice a day. He was literally a giant whose armor weighed more than 125lbs! He shouted that if anyone could beat him, his army would become their slaves…but vice versa if he would win. So the Israelites never accepted the challenge! They were scared. Meanwhile Goliath strutted around mocking them and word had spread everywhere about the Israelites fear that held them captive. Could you blame them?
Did you catch David’s confidence when Saul mocked him? He compared Goliath to the lions and bears that he faught as a shepherd. He talked about knocking them down, grabbing them by the throat, wringing their necks, and killing them! He was ready to do that to Goliath. Wow. Settle down David! Wait, actually say that again David!
That’s confidence. It’s more than confidence, it’s faith. David knew God placed him as a shepherd so he wasn’t going to let a lion stand between him and his calling. He wasn’t about to let a giant stand in the gap between him and his faith either. His brother argued with him, his king argued with him, and I’m sure the Israelite army looked at him funny…none of that mattered to David.
Fast forward in the story, and you’ll find out that not only did David defeat Goliath…he chopped his head off and held it high for everybody to see who God was! Everybody went nuts and the Israelite army won.
David had confidence. He had faith.
Josiah, I’m writing this specifically for you. Take courage as you put on the hospital gown
tomorrow. Hold your head up as they draw blood for hours. Shout out loud to cystic fibrosis and remind it like David reminded Saul: that you will kill it. It’s taunting you and wakes you up at night to steal your breath. It mocks you during your breathing treatments twice a day. It can smell the fear as it struts over your lungs and faith while forecasting death. Take up your sling shot and stones. Let the doctors know like David let Saul know what was about to happen. Strike down cystic fibrosis with faith to bring down the giants of fear and disease. Your earthly daddy is cheering you as well as your Heavenly Daddy.
I’m grabbing my stones and sling shot too buddy. I’m going to gather all my faith and shout boldly and declare God’s victory tonight and tomorrow. With everything we will shout forth God’s glory together. We got this, because He already had it.
It’s time. Mount up!
