David did not error in what he did, because he put the heart into everything he did. When the enemy of God realizes that we are right, it tries everything against us. David asked: “What do I know?” He knew how to use his sling; chose five stones but only used one. He knew he would face a battle, but he was prepared. Goliath felt himself intimidated by David, when he says, “You come against me with swords and spears, and I come to thee in the Lord of hosts.”
Sometimes evil comes with all against us; look for that “giant” that comes our way and we feel intimidated. We must learn to respond like David and to fight evil as he did.
“Lifting his hand, with a stone from his sling, he shot down the insolence of Goliath” (Sir 47, 5). It was such an accurate shot it brought the giant to the ground. Many may ask: How does a boy, with a stone, manage to defeat a giant? How does a man with a stone defeat one whom no one could defeat? “We know that a stone does not kill anyone, but David killed with his stone. He [David] looked like a being so small in the eyes of many, but he had a goal: by killing the giant he was to honor God.
When we get into a fight to honor God, His grace joins us! However simple is our job and what we do, God looks at our efforts and joins what we do.
What did David do differently? He invoked and praised the name of God! He did not do it alone, he had witnesses. When we call on God, He gives us strength to continue to the path of victory. The strength of David came in his prayers. Similarly, we claim the name of Almighty God that we may be winners, so we may be free to do He wants us to do, that We may be free to choose, in fact, to do what He wants from us. We need to be aware that everything we do is by grace from Him, we need to give all thanks to Him!
While David was fighting for those who were suffering, to honor God, he also showed his love for the Lord. So, later, repenting, he was forgiven for all the sins he had committed. God gave him a still greater victory: the release of his sins.
When God forgives us, He frees us and empowers us to overcome our sins and vices. The Holy Spirit, through these words of the book of Sirach gives us the possibility to choose between life and death; between good and evil.
What is your fight? Invoke the holy name of God in your weakness and you will see His strength act in your life! We need to be strong! With our strength we need to strive for God does not give strength to the lazy. You know what to do, the Lord wants to make you a powerful giant. The Holy Spirit gives the certainty that when we are with God we can win our battles!
Márcio Mendes
Missionary of Canção Nova Community