31
The Beast’s Undoing
In front of me stands something incredibly large. Invincible, in fact. It appears to be a tank, shroud entirely in heavy armor–a tank with eyes. He stands more than nine feet tall. His armor weighs 125 pounds, more than my entire body weight, which doesn’t even account for the fifteen pounds just for the tip of his spear. Champion. That is his title and no doubt he has properly earned it. Me? Well, I’m a shepherd. That qualifies me, doesn’t it? What, you find that ridiculous? You think me silly to stand in front of this enormous beast? Oh, you want to know where my weapons are. Well, I’m not used to walking around in armor, so I took it off and I decided to carry my good ol’ sling and a few stones instead of those cumbersome swords.
“Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks? Come here,” he jeers, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” (I Samuel 17:44) Silly man. He thinks his size will save him. He puts his trust in the metal that covers his body. In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:4)
I hear the shouts coming at me from every direction, both from those in my camp and those in my enemies’. They find me incredulous to face this giant, but I’ll tell you what is incredulous. This man. Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? (I Samuel 17:26b) My God is much bigger than any “champion.”
“Hey monster-man, 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.” He laughs and snorts, thinking my God to be as powerless as his. “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (I Samuel 17:45-47).
A hush falls over the land as I place one of my smooth rocks in my sling and aim at the only non-protected part of his body: his forehead. The earth shakes as his body falls to the ground. I triumph over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in (my) hand (I) struck down the Philistine and killed him (I Samuel 17:50).
Friend, what are the giants in your life and what are you focused on? Do you see God’s supernatural ability, or do you see their fancy weaponry and compare it to the few “meaningless” stones in your pouch? Does the size of whatever you’re up against haunt you? Does that which you are called to seem too enormous? Are you overwhelmed? Feel unequipped? Ill prepared? Abandoned? I can’t promise every rock will bring your Goliaths down, but I guarantee there is one rock that will never fail you.
“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. I Samuel 2:2
2 Comments to “The Beast’s Undoing”
Post comment
Recent Posts
- The Red Light
- Signing Off
- Ancient Paths and Eternal Destinations
- Rubbing Off
- The Comfortable and the Familiar
- Filling the Bowls
- Trash to Treasure
- Backwards Beauty
- A Peace of Thankfulness
- Memorizing Grace
About “The Intersection”
Recent Comments
- Nita on The Red Light
- Patti Teats on Ancient Paths and Eternal Destinations
- Patti Teats on Signing Off
- Patti Teats on The Red Light
- Patti Teats on Filling the Bowls
Post Archives
Post Categories
Theme brought to you by Site5 | Experts In Reseller Hosting.


Robbie Iobst says:
Stacy! I loved this! I loved the first person writing. It really made it so personal for me. Man oh man, do I relate. This whole writing thing is a big ole giant that seems to always tell me I am not good enough to even try. Talk about fancy weaponry. He wears the armor of “too good for you, Robbie” “you’ll never finish that project, Robbie” “do you really think you will ever publish your own book, Robbie?” “Ridiculous dreams, Robbie.” Thank you Stacy. I sit hear this morning in my robe and with my coffee -yes it is 10 a.m. but the boy is on spring break – and you have given me hope. I am looking at my smooth, loving ever powerful ROCK. Hmmm…right at the forehead, correct?
"The Intersection" says:
Robbie, I definitely didn’t write this as one who has conquered these fears. In fact, I wrote it because as I read David and Goliath to my five-year-old daughter, the simplicity yet overwhelming courage it portrays convicted me. I’m so with you, especially when it comes to writing. The publishing world sure is a massive beast, isn’t it? Keep pressing on, girl. You have wonderful things to say and you say them in a way that shines truth while also making it lighthearted and fun. I encourage everyone to check out Robbie’s blog: http://www.robbieiobst.blogspot.com/
~Stacy