Later, David spied a bear. Bears were even more feared than lions because they are stronger and more erratic. David prayed. Again God did nothing. Instead of retreating, David, inspired by his former experience, again refused to give into his fears and suffer loss.

Why had God not intervened? Why did he leave it to David to face that fearsome beast?

Later, Goliath was making a mockery of God and of all the people of God. All Israel was praying that Goliath would go away. God did nothing. Israel’s entire army were willing to surrender to their fears and let Goliath intimidate them. But suddenly David discovered why God had allowed that lion and bear in his life. Inspired by his previous efforts, he faced that giant and delivered Israel.

Not even that was the end. David continued to find himself in frightening situations where it would have been so easy to act like Israel’s army hiding in holes hoping for a miracle. Each time, Almighty God could have slain the enemy, but instead he waited for David to do it. Why? Because each time that David refused to surrender to his fears, he become stronger. The Lord had exciting plans for David. He wanted David to progress from rescuing a lamb, to rescuing the entire nation, to ruling that nation. It took many hard, seemingly endless years, and many apparent setbacks, but every distressing, fearful experience was preparing him for greater and greater exploits for God.

David ended up not just ruling God’s people, but blessing every subsequent generation of God’s people through his psalms. His songs touch us because they tell of his fears and his depression and agonizing questions that speak powerfully to us in our own trials, and he inspires us because he faced those emotions and overcame.

Likewise, God could instantly deliver you of things that threaten you. But, like David, you are divinely destined for great things.

Taken from Inspiration from the Giant Killer

Touch hearts! May be freely copied. Just include this notice: © Grantley Morris, www.net-burst.com