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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"Five Smooth Stones"
The story of the shepherd boy who became King is well known by all. Though everything seemed against him, David defeated the Philistine giant, Goliath, and thrilled a nation.
In preparing to face Goliath, David chose “five smooth stones” from the brook, and promptly defeated that one who had blasphemed God.
Ever since sin entered the life of the human race, we have faced the threats and temptations of Satan. We, too, have five smooth stones to use in defeating him.
David Trusted God
Such words as “faith” and “trust” are very close in their application. In fighting this huge giant, David did not lean on his own strength, but on his trust in Jehovah. We may have had an associate or co-worker in whom we had little confidence. It is not easy to work in such situations. But we can trust God just as David did, and obtain the ultimate victory.
When we put our trust in our own strength, we fail to use our greatest ally. In Isaiah 26:3-4 we read: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”
When we have fears, when we are hurting, when we are overcome with doubt, we can trust God to soothe our souls and strengthen our spirits: “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me,” Psalms 56:9.
David was Prepared
In some of my notes taken nearly fifty years ago I found the following:
“How a person deals with the crises of life will depend on how well he has prepared himself.”
This will always be true, and David succeeded in his battle against Goliath partly because he had been hardened in battle against “the lion and the bear,” 1 Samuel 17:34-36.
In every area of life, we will encounter battles for truth, honesty and purpose, and those experiences can prepare us for future battles. But to avoid hardship in early years only weakens us for the more difficult struggles that come later in life.
David had Courage
The common definition of courage is “bravery, valor, overcoming fear.” A New Testament word—“virtue”— supplements this by adding a moral quality to bravery and valor. This element is a vehicle by which we do the right thing regardless of possible consequences to self.
David exhibited this quality later in his life toward Saul, and even when rebuked by Nathan, 2 Samuel 12:13. We may avoid adversity by evasion or compromise of principle, but we will never overcome by that means.
Esther, Daniel, Joseph, Jeremiah, Jesus—all these evidenced courage under adverse circumstances. David is in good company, and we can be in good company by having courage.
David had Determination
Seldom does a salesman succeed in his work without being determined. All those who saw David before his battle had to be convinced that he wasn’t bluffing. This is a quality every parent, every student, every Christian will need, for there will always be the temptation to take the easy way out of any situation.
We must make up our minds to follow in the steps of Jesus, even when they lead in difficult places, even when we want to give up, to let Satan have his way. Compromise will always seem to be the better way if we are not first determined to follow Jesus. We can avoid persecution if we will just take the “broad,” easy way. We may be able to avoid tough decisions if we take the easy way out. But we can’t take the “broad way” and still be a disciple of Christ, Matthew 7:13-14. We must make up our mind today that we will serve the Lord with all our might!
David had Integrity
We are aware of the weaknesses seen in David’s later life. How do we harmonize God’s description of David’s “heart” with his adultery with Bathsheba, his murder of Uriah, and his failure as a parent?
Most of us have failed at some point, in fact several “points.” God does not extol David as perfect, but as having a “heart” that was tender, honest, willing to seek righteousness.
When confronted with his sin, David did not evade his guilt, but yearned for God’s forgiveness and approval.
David had every motivation to take Saul’s life because of the King’s lack of integrity. But instead he respected “God’s anointed,” 1 Samuel 24:6. He had integrity, and no enemy could take that from him.
David needed only one of the “smooth stones” he took from that brook. We will need all five of these, and others as well, when we face the “devices” of Satan, 2 Corinthians 2:11. Trust. Preparation. Courage. Determination. Integrity. Five smooth stones that still characterize those who seek to serve Jesus.
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“Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident. Riches take wings. Those cheered today are cursed tomorrow. One thing only endures: character.”
“There are no great men, only ordinary men who are forced by circumstances to meet great challenges.”
“The difference between obstinacy and perseverance is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.”
“Every noble work is at first impossible.”
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For Our Good Always . . .
Are you among many people who have a misconception of God’s directives for our lives? A lot of folks seem to think that Bible commands are simply arbitrary and legalistic rules to be imposed upon them by some preacher, and are of no real benefit to their lives.
For our reflection, may I call to your attention a verse of Scripture from the Old Testament? In rehearsing God’s law for His people before the nation of Israel, Moses said, “And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always…” Deuteronomy 6:24. Obviously, what God told the Israelites to do was for their own good!
It is my conviction that if people today could understand that one point, it would help tremendously. As the Old Covenant law to Israel was “righteous, and good,” and “unto life,” (Romans 7:12,10), in like manner, the law of Christ is good, true, and unto life. Jesus came from the Father that we “may have life, and may have it abundantly,” John 10:10. He is “the way”! John 14:6.
But for any human being to be in His way, it necessitates obedience to His commandments. “He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected,” I John 4:4-5. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous,” 1 John 5:3. Obviously, God intended them “for our good always”! Christ is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him! Hebrews 5:9.
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