Day 13.Five smooth stones

 1 Samuel 17:40 says, "He took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag

What do David's five smooth stones represent?  I think they represent years of skills training,  practice with a slingshot, experience of defending the flock from wolf and lion. They represent David's confidence in his own ability with the tools of his trade to take down his enemy.  David knew which stones to pick and how many.  He didn't choose 5 in case the first four missed. He knew how good he was. And he knew God was in this battle with him, every bit as much as God had been with him when defending his flock.  

Maybe he chose 5 because he always had five stones ready to go. Maybe he wanted to be ready in case other warriors stepped up after Goliath fell. Maybe he was a bit like a tennis player with tennis balls, picking up a few then discarding them one by one until the right one is in hand.

David was never going to succeeded wearing someone else's armour. You are not going to slay your dragons using someone else's prayer or strategy or ministry formula. God's going to use what you've put in the effort to perfect.  If you've spent years studying the word, your giants will fall as you apply scripture. If you've dedicated yourself to intercession, your prayers will achieve much. If you serve the poor with your whole heart, your compassion will melt icebergs that stand in your path.

The trick is to do what you do with passion, dedication and faithfulness. If you sing, take lessons. If you lay bricks, excel at it. If you fix wonky teeth do it to the glory of God. And when you find yourself in a valley staring up at a giant you will know exactly what to do. 



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