Your Daily Devotional for February 22, 2006

February 22, 2006

 

The Development of David’s Faith

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.”

 

1 Samuel 17:20-23

 

This passage is the introduction to one of the most well-known and beloved stories in the Bible—David and Goliath. First Samuel seventeen begins by telling us about Goliath, the giant warrior of the Philistines, who daily taunts and torments the Israelite armies because they will not send out a man to fight him. Meanwhile, a young shepherd boy named David is at home caring for his father’s sheep while his brothers are fighting the Philistines.

 

Jesse, David’s father, sends him to the battlefield with food and supplies, and it is while he is there speaking to his brothers that Goliath makes his appearance. Most of us are familiar with the outcome of this story: David, because of his faith in God, defies Goliath and leads the Israelites to victory over the Philistines.

 

David must have been a boy who had great faith in God. You see, all of Israel’s greatest war heroes including King Saul were afraid of the giant. How was this kind of faith developed in David’s life? How can we foster faith over the “giants” in our lives?

 

First, let’s notice that David’s faith was developed through the Word of God. David wrote in the book of Psalms: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).  Psalm 71:17 says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

 

Some people have developed amazing abilities in basketball, academics, karate, and various other interests. How? They spent time laboring in developing these skills. How do we develop faith in our lives? Faith is developed by spending time in God’s Word. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

 

David’s faith was also developed through worship. We read in Psalm 71:5, “For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.” David spent many hours in the wilderness caring for his father’s sheep. While there, he wrote much of the book of Psalms, which depicts praise and love to his Heavenly Father.

 

David’s faith was really put into action through trials. Wild animals tried to attack his sheep. His brothers mocked him, and Goliath made fun of his belief in God. Through all of these things, David’s faith never wavered.

 

My friend, do you crave a faith that never wavers? Do you want to have victory over the “giants” in your life? Spend time in God’s Word. Worship and praise Him today. Let God work in your life during difficulties and trials. Faith that grows through burdens today births future blessings tomorrow.

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