Topic: A Sling And A Stone
Text: 1 Samuel 17:41-51
Key Verse: So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. – 1 Samuel 17:50 NLT
I believe in Miracles, and the victory of David over Goliath is one of my favorites! What is a miracle? The dictionary says a miracle is an extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.
Everyone on this platform has at least one miracle they want to happen now. So this is a devotion l trust you will take seriously.
How does a Goliath just spring up around you? How long has he been in the vicinity unnoticed? Is there anything you could have don’t to prevent this Goliath from being born? How in the world will you be able to deal with this giant? These questions and more arise whenever we are seeking God for a miracle in our health, relationships, ministry, business, work, or for our nation.
Today we shall explore some secrets to victory and how to activate the power of a sling and a stone.
The sling and stone represent the weapons you are familiar with in battle. God has created man with immunity from birth in our blood cells that help us fight back any invading agent( bacteria, fungi, virus). Diseases occur when these your soldiers are overcome, so to ensure optimum health, you must build up your immunity ahead of the arrival of any enemy.
In a similar vein, you must build capacity for spiritual warfare before the battle shows up. Goliath, the giant, represents problems that won’t take permission from you to be born, grow, and show up in your life. So you must prepare for the battle ahead of time.
David had faced other challenging situations, and he had to discover and develop his weapons. All these years, what has worked for you? What weapon did you rely on for victory the last time Satan showed up?
But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” – 1 Samuel 17:34-37NLT
Do you have a testimony? What did you do? How did the victory come? What process did you follow?
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.- 1 Samuel 17:45 NLT
David didn’t just run into battle with assumptions or carelessly; he understood the struggle was more spiritual than physical. He did not lean or rely on his skills or ability; his confidence was in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s army.
Have you explored the spiritual side of the battle you are facing? Have you taken the time to prepare the appropriate weapon you will use? Notice David used a club for the Lion and Bear but went out against Goliath with a sling and a stone. If you are unsure what to do, this is a good time to look for your weapons.
The second truth to go with today is that the sling and stone are ordinary, but it only becomes an agent for a miracle when used in faith. David had to step out to the battle, trusting God to do the miraculous as he put his faith to work.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 NLT
You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. – James 2:22
Your faith activates your sling, stone, or club. Calling the name of Jesus, pleading the blood of Jesus is as powerful as your faith.
Whether it is praise warfare, fasting, and prayer, confessing the word, you must be intentional and target it against Goliath\’s forehead.
Lastly, notice that David had no sword even though he needed one. He stepped out with what he had, and the sword Goliath had prepared for David became the weapon that cut his head off.
I don’t pray “back to the sender prayers” because l don’t believe in using the devil’s weapons, but l believe the scriptures that God can use Haman’s gallows to settle him. I believe that when the enemy digs a pit for me, l will escape it, if God decides that the enemy should fall into that pit, l say amen.
My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they have fallen into it. – Psalm 57:6 NLT
Spend your time discovering and developing your sling and stone; as long as there is life; Satan will continue his mission to steal, kill and destroy. Stop praying for your enemies to die; pray for them to receive Jesus, and they will cease to be your enemies; that is what Jesus taught.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. – Matthew 5:43-45
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. – Ephesians 6:13
Prayer
Precious father, dependable God, we thank you for you are all-powerful; you can do anything to give us victory in life. Please help us do the work that will guarantee victory and give us daily miracles in Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Ada
Photo by Gregory Hayes on Unsplash
