BY CAREY KINSOLVING AND FRIENDS
OPINION —
Art Linkletter once asked a boy on his television show, “What is the lesson of David and Goliath?”
“Duck!” said the boy.
Goliath could have used this advice when he fought young David in a story described in First Samuel 17. Better yet, Goliath could have ducked the judgment of God if he had taken advice from Philip, 11: “Never underestimate the power of God or a boy.”
Everyone faces giants. Don’t despair, says Rachel, 10. “Size doesn’t matter. It’s your faith in God.”
Before giants fall by your sling, however, there may be some warm-up battles we need to fight. “David was a shepherd and a fighter,” says Adam, 10. “He fought animals that came around sheep. He killed a lion and a bear because he loved his sheep. So when King Saul said to David, ‘Are you sure?’ David said, ‘I can belt him,’ and he did.”
Because David had practiced trusting God to help him protect the sheep, he prepared himself to trust God when facing Goliath. When we trust God, however, people around us will say, “Are you sure?” Others might say, “You’re crazy.”
Such as when Saul offered his armor to David, you can be sure you’ll hear all kinds of advice about the giants in your life. You’ll need discernment to separate the good advice from the bad and courage to act once you decide to face your giant.
Family members may be the most scornful. David’s own brother contemptuously asked: “Why have you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?”
Does this sound like someone at your office or at home?
Though Saul offered David the best armor in the kingdom, he decided to use his trusty sling. “If you’re going to wear armor, ask God for the armor,” says Michael, 11. “Faith in God was all the armor David needed. He boldly declared to Goliath, ‘The battle is the Lord’s.’”
The apostle Paul referred to this kind of faith as a “guard” around the hearts of those who have committed everything to God in prayer. When you do, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
No weapon can pierce this armor. Or, as Sarah, 9, says, “Just because Goliath is taller and has better stuff doesn’t mean that he can beat David.”
Trusting in the better “stuff” of technology won’t win the battle against one who is shielded by God’s power. Goliath had all the best stuff: bronze helmet, armor, shin guards, a 17-pound spear and a shield-bearer who walked in front of him. Goliath lost his head by trusting in better technology and false Philistine gods.
Don’t get sidetracked in battle by fearing those with better stuff. Remember the lesson of David and Goliath according to James, 11: “If you believe in God, He will be there for you when you need Him. And He will help you do things you usually aren’t capable of doing.”
Sarah, 10, agrees: “Big people don’t get to do all the big things. If we believe in God, we can do anything.”
But if you’re a giant who’s just out to pick a fight, Melissa, 9, says, “Pick on someone your own size.”
Think about this: All giants look small when compared to God’s power and grace.
Memorize this truth: “The battle is the Lord’s” (I Samuel 17:47).
Ask this question: Have you asked God for his view of the giants you’re facing?
Kids Talk About God
Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God twice a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email.
