So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 1 Samuel 17:50
There is an old saying that I love. It goes like this: If all else fails, lower your expectations." Now, you may be thinking. . .that expression doesn't apply to me. I always try to do my best. I agree that in the material world, material guys and girls like us work hard to achieve perfection. But when it comes to working for God, most of us try to get by on less.
David was the poster child for raising the bar. When Samuel the prophet went to Bethlehem to anoint a future king, he met up with Jesse and seven of his sons. By all accounts, the seven boys were strapping young men but none of them was the one chosen to be king. The old man found David, the youngest, out in the pasture tending to a flock of sheep. On the spot, a boy was anointed with oil and rushed into stardom. Obviously, that would be enough excitement for a few days, but David found himself in King Saul's court and the king didn't like the young man. While dodging Saul's foul temperament, David agreed to fight a giant who was reported to be nine feet tall. Armed with only a staff, a sling and five stones, David knocked the giant down with a single blow.
David was far from perfect. His illicit affair with Bethsheba angered God so much that He ordered the death of their only child. David's other children often turned on each other and on their father. Certainly, David did not have a perfect life, but when God called him into battle, he went. He prayed over his failures and his victories, and when he sinned, he admitted it.
David's life would have been totally altered if he had lowered his expectations. He would have refused the kingship out of childish fear; he never could have gone out in battle against a giant; he would have run from Saul; during personal defeats, he would have begged God to end his life instead of pleading with God to restore it.
When God calls you to do battle with injustice, do you stand up or run? When the call goes out to serve with a willing spirit, do you make excuses or start packing? As your life takes a negative turn, do you get better or bitter?
David is not the only giant of God, you know.
There's one on your street and in your house.
Written by Myra Smith
Posted at www.AnchorYourLife.com