Goliath = big giant
David = much smaller young boy
David defies the odds and kills Goliath with a stone.
"... [King] Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified" [17:11]. The Philistines, aka Goliath and his people, and the Israelites, aka God's people, had a standoff for 40 days.
David's father, Jesse, ordered him to visit the Israelite camp, deliver food, and update him about the battle. David's 3 older brothers were in that war; He was the youngest of 8 sons. So David followed his father's instructions: He arrived, dropped the food off, and ran toward his brothers at the battle lines. When he arrived, Goliath was on the other side talkin' smack, per usual. In fact, David's oldest brother Eliab grew angry at David for even asking questions (we'll talk about this another time).
David asked what was the reward for defeating Goliath. The Israelite men informed him on said reward, and David pretty much said bet, I got this. I'm used to fighting lions and bears while tending the sheep. This will be just like those times.
Saul gave David his armor. He tried it out and said "I cannot go in these... because I am not used to them" so he removed them [17:39]. David then told Goliath that the Lord will deliver him into his hands [17:46]. David used what he knew and struck Goliath in the forehead with a stone. Goliath fell flat on his face in defeat. He even cut off Goliath's head to seal the deal.
Did David wake up that morning and say, "You know what?? I'm going to defeat a giant today and cut his head off!" Absolutely not. David did not plan on fighting in a war that day. What began as simple obedience to his father, marked the beginning of David's reign over Israel. However, David's preparation began way before he ever set food on that battlefield. David specifically said he spent time fighting off lions and bears as a shepherd-- Not as a warrior or fighter.
What looked like an arbitrary duty was all the preparation David needed to do what nobody else had the courage to do... I'm talking actual battle soldiers were too afraid to face Goliath in war. But this young boy who was just following his father's instructions ended up securing a victory for the entire nation of Israel.
So don't discount that current job you're in because it doesn't look like the type of work you imagined you fantasized about in college. Don't be so eager to go job searching because you feel like your current professional duties are beneath you. If that is where God put you, then it is exactly the kind of preparation you need for who God is calling you to be.
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