1 SAMUEL 17:32-33

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

TO PONDER

When was the last time you heard that statement, “You are not able!”? Whether it was from someone else or more likely yourself, you have probably heard that said to you and the thing is it was probably true, just as it was for David in today’s verses.

David was too young, he wasn’t a trained warrior, he smelt like sheep, he wasn’t dressed for battle, he was only there to deliver sandwiches to his brothers. In reality he was probably the least qualified person to go to battle with Goliath. Saul on the other hand was described as being ‘head and shoulders’ taller than everyone else, he was a seasoned warrior, trained in war, dressed for battle but he was frozen in fear like the other Israelites.

If you read the whole account the difference between David and King Saul becomes evident. Saul had the attitude of I can’t when he was offering rewards to someone else to do what he should have done himself, Saul found excuses why Goliath couldn’t be beaten, Saul’s trust was in human strength. David on the other hand responded to the challenge with I will when nobody else would, David found reasons why he should go, David trusted in God.

Just because you probably can’t doesn’t mean you shouldn’t when you have God on your side. Just like David, God prepares us for what he has called us to do.

Its got less to do with what we can’t do and more to do with what God can do!

PRAYER

Almighty Father, I pray that today you would strengthen me to step out in faith and respond with “I will” when I see where you are challenging me to go. Amen.

Today's devotion provided by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside Church Planter