David and Trust

In the timeless tale of David and Goliath, the true heroics may not lie in the intention to slay giants but in a seemingly mundane task – delivering sandwiches. Rich Mullins' quote captures this essence, highlighting that David didn't set out to kill Goliath for his giant-slaying prowess; rather, he was on a mission from his father to take his brothers' sandwiches, and Goliath happened to get in the way.

We have been delving into the profound subject of "TRUST."

Fear emerges as a natural adversary to trust, often hindering us from taking life's risks and confining us to the sidelines. While we occasionally summon the courage to confront fear, more often than not, fear asserts control, steering us down undesired paths.

Goliath, the embodiment of fear in the Old Testament, persistently taunted the Israelites for 40 days. In this intimidation, David arrives with his brothers' sandwiches, dismayed by the cowering armies and the giant's insults toward a God he never knew.

The insults hurled by Goliath trigger a backlash from David's brothers and King Saul. Such reactions are typical when one dares to step out in faith – misunderstood, criticized, and doubted by others gripped by jealousy, shame, or fear.

Yet, David persists, unwavering in the face of fear.

Others attempt to equip him with worldly tools like armor and swords, but David remains steadfast, recognizing that his ultimate weapon is the Lord. His trust is anchored in the words, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Where did David's unwavering trust originate? Not in killing giants or taming lions and bears, but in the quiet nights spent guarding his father's flock. Imagine the solitude, knowing the lurking presence of lions and bears, enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.

Reflecting on my childhood, fear found a home in the dark corners of a scary unfinished basement. Much like David, I countered fear with song, belting out melodies to drown out the unsettling noises echoing through the unfinished space.

David's response to fear was to sing truths about his God. Over time, he transcended his limitations, leaning deeply into trust in God. Until we, like David, can walk past our limitations, assured of God's support, fear will persist in dominating our lives.

Recalling the lesson from Jesus' parable of the Sower, let's scatter the seeds of His word and be at rest. As we rest, the seeds of His word take root and grow within us. What better way to scatter these seeds than through songs celebrating the character of God? Sing, meditate, trust, and watch as faith blossoms, and fear diminishes.