Our capabilities to achieve God’s purpose
by Charles Bertelsmeier
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David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’ (1 Samuel 17:45).
Read 1 Samuel 17:31–49
Most of us are familiar with the biblical story of David and Goliath. Goliath is a big guy, more than two metres tall and heavily armed – both for offence and defence. Goliath, as a representative of the Philistines, offers a challenge to the Israelites: instead of all the soldiers fighting in a big battle, let one representative from each side fight the other to determine the victor. It would have seemed very unfair, because there was no-one in the Israelite camp with the skills or strength to take on Goliath … until this kid turns up and offers to represent the Israelites.
David’s experience in battle is limited to caring for his flock of sheep. His enemies so far have been wild animals: lions and bears. But he has one more important weapon, and that is the God who is in charge of the whole universe and, at this moment, he is on David’s side.
Before we go on, I would like to spend a little time thinking about the boy David, looking after his flock of sheep out in the meadows by himself. Yes, he had to keep a good eye on the sheep, but he also had a lot of time on his hands. What better time to contemplate the meaning of life and get to know more intimately the God who looked after him?
It seems David was a bit of a poet and spent some of his time writing hymns about his relationship with his God. And then, of course, when he needed a bit of exercise, he could practise with his slingshot to perfect his aim. And, as we acknowledged earlier, he occasionally had to deal with wild animals threatening his flock.
So, when David headed off to confront Goliath, this wasn’t something new for David. He was doing what he always did, using the skills God had given him and trusting that God would guide his use of these skills to achieve God’s purpose.
A lesson we can take from today’s reading is that God is working through all our experiences in life to develop in us the skills he wants to use to achieve his purposes. We are not using these skills on our own, but as we live surrendered to God’s purposes, the way we let God guide us in using these skills results in him achieving what he wants to in our lives and the lives of others.
So, you may think that the job or situation you are currently in is uninteresting, and that you would like to do something more exciting. Have you considered that the skills and attitudes you are developing will be something that God can use to bless others?
Heavenly Father, we don’t always enjoy where you have called us to be or what you have called us to do. Please help us to grow in trusting your love for us so that we can be encouraged by your presence with us to honour you with our attitudes, words and actions. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in a retirement village in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. Together, they have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. Charles keeps busy caring for their pot plants and a community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.
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