1 Samuel 17:26, 32, 37a

(26)  "David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

(32)   “David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

(37a)  “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Even before David grew into a man after God’s own heart, it was obvious there was something special about him. As Jesse’s youngest son, the least of the family duties, shepherd, fell to him. Even as a young man, his father used him to run errands, such as the one he was on to serve his brothers lunch when he happened to overhear Goliath defying God. David’s courage did not spring from some “live forever” youthful naivety, or from some desire to heap glory upon himself. It sprung from anger against the blatant defiance against his God and the patriotism he felt towards his country as he saw their mighty army quaking in fear. He offered himself as a servant to God’s representative, the king of Israel, to be used to remove the Philistine’s champion. He did not run into battle (1 Sam 17:48) with reckless idiocy but in the confidence that the Lord would give him the victory. It was not for his own glory but for God’s and so he was confident that the Lord would, as he always had, show himself mighty through David. As you face your giants today, do you think about how your victory will bring God glory?

Pray: Heavenly Father, when I tell you that I am ready to serve, let it not be with an eye towards what I stand to gain but rather how my service will bring you glory. How can I take credit for the good that comes of my actions when every good and perfect thing comes from you? As the servant is not greater than his master, so today I bow my knee before you, Lord, and await your commands for this day. Lord Jesus, so commend me to our Father I pray – Amen.