Psalm 23:4c

While vacationing in Williamsburg, Virginia I visited a “Ripley’s believe it or not!” gallery, the home of bizarre stories, international oddities, and strange discoveries.  Along the journey of browsing I saw a life size version of the tallest man in the world, standing at a towering eight feet and eleven inches I found myself just about eye level with his belt.  While in the gallery I couldn’t help but think of another giant who stood just about the same height as the display in front of me. 

His spear was bigger than most flagpoles, his coat of armor weighed about 200 pounds, and his voice scared an army of well weathered warriors.  Goliath was no joke; you didn’t catch any Israelites giggling when the giant stood morning after morning to mock the God of Israel.  A massive detachment of troops feared one man; he was head, shoulders, and even belly above everyone else.  To be perfectly fair, I couldn’t blame them, I was intimidated by a nine foot statue; they were dealing with the real deal, a man of war who toted a coat of armor that weighs more than I do. 

With all of that said, it seems a bit odd that the only guy that stepped on the scene with enough boldness to face a giant was not much bigger than a high school point guard.  What is even more curious is where this youthful shepherd boy got his courage. 

His brothers thought it was youthful pride.

His King thought it was youthful ignorance.

His heart knew it as child-like faith.

It wasn’t because of an enlarged ego, or some positive thinking technique, it was from a faith that the Lord Himself was with him to deliver as times before (1 Samuel 17:37).  I personally believe the words of Psalm 23 were written while David was in the field tending sheep, the very same field that he mentions while testifying to King Saul.  You see, When God showed Himself faithful in the life of David, he wrote it down, when he penned these words he allowed faith to permanently be written on his soul.  I encourage you to do the same.

Write it down!

When God delivers you out of trouble, stop… and write a note of remembrance. 

Here’s why:

When days turn to weeks and weeks turn to years we as human beings tend to forget stuff, and when the next trial arises you will be tempted to doubt.  In times like these I’ve learned that a personal record of God’s faithfulness is a huge help to boosting your faith, lifting your head, and bringing praise from your lips.  When the situation tells you, “You don’t stand a chance; you’re so small compared to that giant!”  You can remind yourself that, “If God did it before, then He can do it again!”

Often we make the mistake of having the “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there” mentality.  We turn the dial to cruise control and begin to think that we’ll sail over our rough waters simply because “we’ve gotten this far!”  Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, we must apply the truth of God’s word as presently active and absolute to overcome the giants that are camping in our territory.  The truth is the same for us as it was for David; boldness, courage, victory and valor, are all birthed in a faith that trusts that the Lord is personally involved with us.  I believe the more this faith is applied in our lives the more we will see obstacles fall, foggy paths become clear, and fear begin to fade.