While we may claim to trust the Lord, what we turn to in times of difficulty reveals where our true confidence rests. When problems arise, do we immediately call our friends? Bankers? Investors? Colleagues? Mentors? Or, do we immediately turn our attention to our Lord? David did take a slingshot with him to meet Goliath, but it was a toy compared to the giant’s seemingly invincible armor and weaponry. So ludicrous did it appear to Goliath that he laughed in derision when he watched the youth approach him.
Leaders have skills, experience and various resources at their disposal and they use them wisely. But they also know that their ultimate confidence rests in their relationship with God. All the resources in the world cannot guarantee success if God is opposed to us! But, when God goes with us, even the most meager of resources is adequate for the task!
David did not claim to have the power to defeat Goliath. He did not delineate his battle strategy to his brothers, or presume to know anything about war at all. He only knew God was with him and it was God who would get both the victory and the glory. “The battle is the Lord’s” was his strategy. “He will hand you over to us” was his only plan. He took what he had with him when God called him into service, and faced the giant just as he had previously faced the bear and the lion. The result was the same but the impact was far greater than he could have imagined.
We must ask ourselves where we have placed our confidence. Do we really understand that the battle is the Lord’s, or do we think the battle is ours and the Lord can help if we get in over our head? Does our prayer life reflect our confidence in an almighty God? What does our worry reveal? The leader God saw within a shepherd boy was drawn out in extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. While other soldiers cowered in the shadow of the giant, the shepherd boy, their future king, with no armor or modern weapons, actually ran towards the battle line! To be so confident in God regardless of the circumstances demonstrates incredible, God-honoring faith.