Wed.’s Devo - The Lord’s Victory

Read: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11 The Israelite army faced the Philistine army on opposite hills overlooking the valley of Elah. The Philistines had a champion who would come down into the valley and shout to the army of Israel challenging them to a duel. The man would be fighting for his nation and the losing nation would become the slave of the other nation. *** Their champion was a nine foot tall giant named Goliath. Goliath means “stripped, as a captive.” Day after day he walked out taunting the army of Israel. No one was brave enough to fight him. *** David’s brothers were in the army and their dad sent David to take them some food and find out how things were going on the front. David heard the taunts of Goliath and was surprised that they listened to him day after day and did nothing. He asked what reward would begin to the man who defeated Goliath and they said he would be given one of the kings’ daughters for a wife and the man’s whole family would be exempt from paying taxes. *** David asked around till his questions were reported to King Saul. He had the boy brought to him but when he saw him he was surprised that David was so young. *** David argued that God had helped him kill lions and bears with his bear hands that came to attack his sheep. This uncircumcised Philistine would be nothing for God. *** Saul had no other men volunteering and had to do something, so he tried to put his armor on David. It fell off of him. David said he would fight like he was used to fighting and gathered five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his bag. Then he took his shepherd’s staff and sling and headed out across the valley towards Goliath. *** Goliath saw him coming and was insulted that he only brought a staff to fight him. He cursed David by the names of his gods. He told him he would give his flesh to the birds and wild animals. *** David named Goliath’s weapons then he named his: the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who Goliath had defied. Then he told Goliath exactly what he was goin to do to him. He was going to conquer him and cut off his head and give his body to the birds and wild animals. Then all would know there was a God in Israel who rescues his people. *** David ran to meet Goliath and took one of the stones and hurled it with his sling. It hit Goliath in the forehead and he fell face down to the ground. David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword out and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw this they turned and ran and the men of Israel ran after them killing them. *** David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem. Saul found out who David was and had him brought to live with him. David met Jonathan and there was an immediate bond between them. Jonathan gave him his robe, tunic, sword, bow and belt and vowed a vow of friendship with him. *** In John, Jesus continued speaking saying he was going away to a place they wouldn’t be able to come. Some speculated he was contemplating suicide since they thought there was a place designated for those who committed suicide. Jesus tried to clear it up by saying they were from below and he was from above. He didn’t belong to this world. *** Many still didn’t understand who he was and who it was that had sent him, but he added, when he was lifted up on the cross, they would understand that he was who he said he was. But, there were some who believed in him. *** Lord, thank you for giving us hearts to believe in you. Thank you for eternal life through Christ.