September 28
Delivered from the Paw (Part 2)
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.” ––1 Samuel 17:45-46
David knew his way around a sling. We’re not talking the kind of wooden slingshot many of us had as kids (the one shaped like a wishbone with a big rubber band to hurl pebbles). Slings were deadly, highly effective weapons of war in ancient times. Slingers would stand in the back line as the infantry advanced, and soften up the enemy lines with deadly accurate shots from slings. They were crafted from long strips of leather or wool with a leather “pocket” or pouch that held the stone steady until launched.
My image of David is from pictures that show him picking up little pebbles in a stream and then sneaking in a lucky shot on Goliath. But the truth is probably much grittier. In fact, recently in archaeological digs outside of Jerusalem, sling stones the size of tennis balls and grapefruits have been unearthed. So think a fist-sized rock rather than a little pebble, flying at speeds of up to 60 mph hitting a man’s skull just above the eyes. Yeah, bloody and brutal.
Throughout the centuries the David vs. Goliath story has been used to highlight scores of struggles between small and great opponents. If you are under 50, YouTube the 1980 USA vs. USSR Olympic hockey game, dubbed the “Miracle on Ice.” (Or Holm defeats Rousey, Douglas beats Tyson, Ukraine holds off Russia, etc.).
At face value, the mismatch seems like an accurate picture. Goliath probably stood 9’9” and weighed around 400 pounds. But when you consider the facts of the big match-up that day in a fertile valley southwest of Jerusalem, David wasn’t such a longshot after all (pun intended). Three main reasons:
- He had the Lord of Hosts on his side. How much better does it get?
- He’d already killed lions and bears—what was so special about a huge Philistine?
- He knows he doesn’t have to enter into hand-to-hand combat, where he’d easily be over-powered—his sling can do the job from a distance.
The world loves an underdog, as the saying goes. But never underestimate a man who walks in God’s authority. The great news is that the Bible is full of other unlikely heroes who inspire us and give us hope, including Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Gideon, Barak, Paul, and the disciples, among many others.
God’s man is stronger than he seems, my friend. In the world’s eyes you may not look like much, but when You engage with the Lord of Hosts, You can’t lose.
Father, may I have the heart of David and the ability to see the world through Your eyes of authority.