Five Smooth Stones Series

Introduction: Daisy Cutters, Bunker Buster, Smart Bombs…maybe you have heard about them! These are some of the modern weapons technology that US armed forces have used in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Today’s battles are fought with a dizzying array of weaponry that was unheard of in years gone by. In fact a US fighting man out on the battlefield carries with him an arsenal of weapons and defensive gear that makes him one of the most thoroughly equipped soldiers in military history. Today US soldier are outfitted in Kevlar bulletproofing armor; he is equipped with night vision goggles; he carries with him personal fire arms, hand grenades, and a range of weapons that would make his counterparts in World War II quite jealous.

With the use of computer technology today, weapons are getting smarter and more efficient. There are robots with cameras that can be used to survey enemy territory, bombs with guidance systems, cruiser missiles that employ satellite navigation and a range of stuff that, years ago existed only in the minds of Star Trek writers. With the types of weapons available today the modern battlefield can be a fearsome place.

But that was not the case when David stood before Goliath! The two armies that faced each other were a little more than primitive fighting forces. They did have weapons but they were mainly swords, spears, javelins and the like. It would seem however, that the Philistines were better equipped than the Israelite. The book of 1 Samuel 13:19-20 gives us an indication that these barbarians were more technologically advanced than the children of Israel: "Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle…"

The account of David and Goliath puts it in perspective for us. It tells us that Goliath, this giant of a man, was wearing a coat of mail and bronze armor. He had a bronze helmet on his head and he carried a bronze javelin, a spear and a sword. He also had a shield bearer that went before him. David on the other hand, had a sling shot in one hand and a staff in the other. In his shepherd’s pouch he carried five smooth stones that he took from a brook he crossed on his way to face his opponent.

I have often asked: why did David take five stones? And I answer it, because Goliath had four brothers – which he did (1 Samuel 21). But that is not the real reason. It was simply a matter of having enough ammunition. If you are fighting with a sling or a gun for that matter, no one takes one bullet! It would be foolish to do so. So David faced Goliath a seemingly superior foe with that which he had but it was not

really the simple weapons that David used that brought Goliath down – rather it was his faith!

Faith! F-A-I-T-H...Fortitude, Agression, Initiative, Testimony and Help from Above...Five smooth stones in the hands of a young Jewisjh boy who would one day be king. But for now and in the eyes of Goliath, he was just a runt. But it was not who David was that made the difference, it was waht he was made of...

1. DAVID SHOWED FORTITUDE

“Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.”

a) David had the guts to act when know one else was willing

The Israelites were “dismayed and greatly afraid.”

“ And all the men of Israel when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.” V 24

The Israelites cowered because of the giant’s threats

Facing this type of danger takes guts and fearlessness

b) David was not afraid to take on a superior foe

The giants’ threats meant nothing to David because he knew who he was in God

People are afraid when they do not know who is on their side

c) David was unwilling to use untested weaponry

Saul wanted him to use his sword and armor

“So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them…” Verse 38-30

- Our weapons are not carnal

- “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Cor10:3-4

The weapons that we use in our fight against giants have been tested.