COURAGE 4 - Dare to honor God, even when people laugh at you

Courage 4 - English files

Mut 4 - German files 

Devotional Thoughts about 1 Samuel Chapter 17

Israel was in dire straits as its army stood across the valley from the Philistines. These enemy neighbors had a history of keeping Israel at a disadvantage to insure their own upper hand in their frequent skirmishes (see 1 Samuel 13:29-22). Plus, there were giants among them, as the Israelite spies had discovered centuries earlier on their first trip to Canaan (Numbers 32,33).

The Philistines sent out Goliath, one of those giants, to take on any one of the Israelites they chose. King Saul, who at his coro­nation had been described as being “head and shoulders above” everyone else (1 Samuel 10:23), was probably among the closest to a giant that the Israelites had, but there’s no mention of his taking on the challenge.

Young David, arriving at this juncture, was indignant when he learned the reason for the 40-day impasse. Goliath was making fun of God and His people, and nobody— not King Saul, not David's brothers nor anyone else—was doing anything about it! When Saul heard of him, he sent for him, and David volunteered for the job right away.

Goliath felt insulted that a boy had been sent to fight him, and blustered abuse. David replied, making clear that he had come in the name of the Lord of Hosts and that the victory would come from Him. And so it did when David had slung just one stone.

Lord, please give me the courage to speak up to praise and glorify you when others speak against you.