Pick Up Some Extra Stones

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him. These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."

Can you see the reason for the other four stones that David had picked up in that brook at the first battle against Goliath? Maybe David knew that Goliath had four sons and maybe he didn’t. But the Lord God of Israel knew and he was telling them all, through David’s 5 stones, that they were are destined for defeat! God would not tolerate the blasphemy of his name, nor of the persecution of his chosen nation of Israel. All of those who would swear to destroy David and Israel would face the wrath of Almighty God.

God knew that there would come a time when the sons of Goliath would seek revenge and so He already planned their defeat when the time came.

What does that say to you and I today? There are so many times when we question, or wonder, why God would have us to go through some of the tests and trials that we must face. In the midst of those trials we often wonder why things have to be this way. We often wonder even, if our living for the Lord will make any difference in our family coming to Christ. We wonder sometimes if anyone is even watching as we battle the forces of evil on behalf of those we love.

What we must come to understand is that God is a sovereign God and that He knows what lies ahead for each of us.

God is preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies. Your enemies are God’s enemies if you are on the Lord’s side. God has already prepared a victorious end for you.

David didn’t have to go down to war again. His days on the battlefield were over but he had laid a foundation that the nation of Israel could build upon. He had laid the foundation of faith and trust in the Rock. He had shown them that man’s knowledge, skills and power would come to nothing. The only thing that will stand is the “Rock”.

You will have some giants to slay in your life too. None of us will make it through this life without a lot of trouble and many tests.

Job 14:1, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble."

Whether you build upon the “rock” or upon the “sand” the storms of life are surely coming. The question is, “Will you stand through the storm, or be washed away into eternity without God.”

As you go against the enemy of your soul, don’t forget to pick up some extra stones. You won’t need them for yourselves. You are already trusting in the “Rock”. But pick them up to pass along to your children and grandchildren and the generations to follow should the Lord tarry in His coming.