During Bread and Cheese Deliveries

John and I were talking yesterday about the expectation we should have that God is at work all around us.   If we go about our everyday lives understanding that to be the norm rather than the unusual our alertness for glimpses and clues will increase, our sensitivity to noticing more will heighten, our opportunities will widen because we are walking awake, our response will be quicker because we are already enamored with His invitation and ready for someone else to experience His sovereignty and power. 

When young David was sent on an errand by his dad to bring food to his brothers on the front lines, he didn’t have to stop to figure out what was going on with the taunting Goliath, even though he had just arrived on the scene.  He had just been out on a food delivery, but he went with vision.  The quivering Israelite army, on the other hand, had spent weeks looking at the mighty giant through the lens of his challenge and stature and reputation instead of through the eyes of a bigger and infinitely stronger God—the greater of the two truths. 

Every one of the armed men in both camps was somewhat experienced at war, but none had been as seasoned for victory as a simple shepherd boy who had spent the quiet hours in the company of his God.  He alone, though brand new to the forty-day showdown, was the only one who saw it clearly.  He alone was not intimidated by nine feet of muscle and armor and pride.  He alone was ready to bring clarity to the situation and use the simple things around him to reveal the truth about what was going on. 

It doesn’t take fancy equipment or the power of man to win our battles, it only takes knowing who He is, believing He is at work, and using what He has provided for us. 

David was humble and bold, obedient and brave, young and wise.  Our preparation for the battles comes in the ways we do the background moments to know Him, then resting in what we have learned, and following His voice as He leads.