Facing Adversities

I Sam. 17:45  David shouted in reply, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD Almighty—the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied…..”

David was a young shepherd boy, not big enough or old enough to yet serve in the army.  The Israelites were in a face-off with the Philistines who were threatening them.  Goliath was a giant who represented the Philistines.  He daily taunted the Israelites, challenging them to provide someone willing to fight him in a hand-to-hand combat.  Whoever would win the contest would determine the fate of the armies.  No one was big enough or brave enough to answer the challenge of Goliath, except David.  He was on the scene visiting his brothers and heard Goliath’s daily taunts.  He was not a soldier, but he was a young lad who was sold out to God and could no longer tolerate the mockeries of Goliath against God and his people.

David went out to fight Goliath with the resources he had---his faith in God, five smooth stones, and his slingshot.  It was enough.  Because David had the Lord on his side, he was able to hurl a stone at Goliath, knock him down, and kill him. 

How do you face adversity in your life?  Do you rely on the resources of man or God?  Do you have enough confidence in God to believe that the resources He has given you are enough to conquer whatever you are facing in life?  When we rely on the Lord and allow Him to help us we are able to overcome anything.  We can’t determine or dictate the circumstances of life, but we don’t have to become victims to them.  The Lord on our side is enough to overcome all of our obstacles and fears.

So, why is it that we usually turn to the Lord for help after we have depleted all of our resources first?  Wouldn’t it be a whole less stressful, painful, and complicated if we were to first turn to Him?  The next time you are confronted with a situation that throws you into a tizzy, take it to the Lord before you even think about trying to deal with it.  He will guide you through it and help you to deal with it.  You will never be able to handle things on your own as well as you would if you were to but trust in the Lord and let Him help you.