A Time To #14

Cast Away Stones

Imagine, It all comes down to you.  The hopes of a nation rest on your shoulders.  People's lives and freedom are at risk based on the outcome of this one moment in your life.  What would you do? In today's devotion, we look at one young man who had this moment and what it means for us.

The Perfect Stone for Casting Away

When David faced down Goliath, all he had in his possession were some stones and a sling.  What's interesting is the types of stones David chose.  He didn't choose jagged rocks, though they would seem good to cut the skin of the giant.  He didn't choose boulders, though they might crush the giant.  No, David chose five small smooth stones. These stones were perfect for the battle he was facing for two reasons:

They were small enough to where Goliath wouldn't see the stone as it flew at him. 
They were smooth so that they would fling with enough accuracy

Did you ever skip rocks when you were a kid?  When I was a boy, we would go out to my grandparents' camp on the Calcasieu River and one of our past times was flinging rocks across the water.  The best rocks to fling were smooth and small. I didn't learn this on my own.  My grandpa taught me. He told me you could fling them with more accuracy and their lightness allowed them to skip across the water more easily.  This concept also works for a slingshot, a concept David knew as well as my grandpa.

David knew exactly what kind of stone it took to take down Goliath, and we are going to need to know what kind of tools we need to exhibit when we are in a fight against the enemy.  How do we know what tools to use? 

The Tool That Defeats The Enemy

There are many tools that we can use to take on the enemy.  Jesus told his disciples that they would be able to cast out devils.  That's not just the spiritual practice of exorcism, but it is also the ability to cast demons out of our lives and situations.  The influence the enemy is trying to gain on our lives and the lives of those around us?  We can squash it.  The attacks the enemy mounts on our finances, family and other areas?  We can block them.  How do we do it?  There are many gifts, operations, talents and tools God affords His followers throughout the Bible, but we must have one thing behind whatever tools God provides us.  It's not big.  It's not flashy. It's simple and subtle, at times. It's faith.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:18-20)

David had the stones and the sling, but he had something else: the Name of the LORD (2 Samuel 17:45).  That's faith.  It's the same faith required of his disciples and it's the same faith He requires of us.   Faith in the One who sends us out.  Belief in the Name of the Lord.  David didn't beat Goliath because of the stones he selected or the sling he held.  It was his faith in God.   The season of casting out stones is all about trusting God.  Trusting Him that when you cast the stones, God will guide them to their intended target and the enemy before us will be felled.

What is the Goliath in your path today?
What tools are at your disposal to face the enemy?
How can you use faith in God to get the most out of what God has given you?
Leave your thoughts in the comment and tell us what you think about the season of casting away stones.