Our Battles are the Lord’s – Family Devotion – March 7, 2022

Read: 1 Samuel 17:4-11,32-40,45-49

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.… All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:45,47

Our Battles are the Lord’s

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

What a scene! For forty days the Israelites and the Philistines had been staring at each other across the valley. The mood in the two camps couldn’t have been much different. The Israelites felt hopeless and lacked a true leader. The Philistines, behind their champion, the giant Goliath, were confident and even cocky. With no candidate from the Israelites willing to fight Goliath, it seemed like the stalemate would last forever. That was until a very unlikely champion emerged from the Israel camp. He was a young shepherd boy named David.

Goliath couldn’t help but laugh as he watched David step onto the battlefield. Much smaller and less armed than Goliath, it looked like David didn’t stand a chance. Against all human odds, David didn’t feel hopeless like the rest of the Israelites or prideful in his own abilities and weapons like Goliath. He was confident of the outcome of this battle of champions because his trust was in the Lord. Knowing that the battle was in the Lord’s hand, he boldly stepped up, and with just one stone the giant was defeated. The victory that day is often referenced as one of the greatest underdog stories of all time.

Each of us have giants we face every day. They might not be 9 feet tall, but they are still intimidating. Your giant might be a bully in your neighborhood that is constantly messing with you. Your giant might be a subject at school that you just can’t figure out. Your giant might be an illness that really scares you.

As we face the giants in our life, we are often tempted to either feel crushed with hopelessness or foolishly believe that we can solve all our problems on our own. During this season of Lent, let us repent for those times of despair and pridefulness and follow the example of David in our lesson for today. Let’s take the focus off ourselves and to put our trust in the Lord who promises that he will help us in our times of trouble.

We can face our giants with confidence because our champion, Jesus, has already defeated our greatest giant: sin. As Jesus hung on the cross, many people believed that he had lost the battle against sin, death, and the devil. As our perfect substitute, three days later he rose from the dead victorious. Those three giants had been conquered, and through the gift of faith, his victory is our victory!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for winning us eternal life through your death and resurrection. As we face the giants in our life, help us to put our trust in you, who promises to always help us in our times of trouble. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Name one thing you are afraid of.
• Who is always with you, even when you are scared?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why were the Israelites afraid to fight Goliath? What did Goliath put his trust in?
• How did David respond differently than both the other Israelites and Goliath?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What it the biggest challenge that you currently face?
• How does the story of David and Goliath help you better prepare to face this challenge?