The Battle Belongs

This week I found myself reading the story of David and Goliath ( 1 Samuel 17:32-52 .) I also found myself rereading it over and over again. David’s confidence was captivating and his faith was inspiring.

David was a shepherd's boy, and he worked in the field tending to the animals. Honestly, I never knew this was an occupation that included danger of any sort. I thought it was herding the sheep until I read verse 34-37:

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

I have had a hard week because I feel so pressured to know what I want to do with the rest of my life because every single day someone asks me about college. I’ve been frustrated this week with God because I’ve been praying for clarity on what career path He wants me to pursue and once it seems that it has been made clear, it soon becomes foggy again. Reading this passage this week reminded me that I am not supposed to have it all figured out, if I did have it figured it then I wouldn’t need God.

God is teaching me in this season to take life day by day with Him, and not worry about the future because it is in His hands. David had faith in the small things that God would give him victory over the lions and bears that came against his sheep. His faith built up and was used because he knew God would give him victory over the giant that came against his people.

David knew Who he was fighting for and he knew that he was only a vessel of faith for the battle. Wherever you are today, just know that the battle belongs to the Lord. I have grown so tired and weary trying to do it all in my own strength because I’ve been fighting battles that do not belong to me.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:25-34

Rest today knowing that the Lord has His hand over you and that the battle belongs to the Lord.