”Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’” I Samuel 17:36-37 (NIV)

David is sent to the battlefield with food for his brothers and becomes incensed when he hears the words of Goliath, taunting the army of the Lord. When David realizes that no one in the Israelite army is willing to confront the Philistine giant, he volunteers.

It’s disheartening to read the peoples’ reaction to David’s courageous decision. His oldest brother has already accused him of wickedness and conceit. Now, King Saul tries to talk him out of it, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” (1 Samuel 17:33)

But then David explains his position. As a shepherd boy, he has encountered difficult and dangerous situations before. In David’s mind, Goliath is no different from the lion or the bear, whose attacks he has already survived. David’s previous experience of God’s faithfulness enables him to live boldly in this moment. God protected him as a shepherd boy, and God will protect him now.

Questions to Consider:

• When have you experienced God’s provision?

• How has your faith been gradually stretched - one faith step leading to a deeper faith and another step?

• Is there a step you believe God is leading you to take now?

Prayer: Spend some time considering the way that God has led you gradually deeper in your faith. Be open to anything God might want to say about the direction of your next faith step.