It’s a privilege to share a blog post from Cecil Brown, Jr., my cousin. He was telling me about some insights he had unexpectedly gotten from a Biblical story that he had heard many times since he was a child. His experience was so relatable in how we pick up new points from old stories. I hope it will encourage you to remain open to receiving new insights and more confidence as you read, study, and meditate on God’s Word.
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Have you ever re-read a book or re-watched a movie you hadn’t experienced in 5, 10, 20 years only to have a completely new experience with it? That’s what happened when my spiritual coach suggested I re-read David and Goliath. It is one of the earliest stories I remember from Sunday School. Little guy beats much larger opponent. It’s likely the foundation underdog story in western culture and is unconsciously retold through countless TV shows, movies, songs, and novels. However, it’s also one of those stories that we often gloss over because “I know this already.” I had some surprising takeaways reading this as an adult. A few observations are laid out below. My observations are by no means original, but I was surprised by how much of the story I had missed all those many years ago.
David didn’t come to fight, he came to bring lunch.
We often find ourselves called to complete small tasks. We may even find ourselves resenting the small tasks, “How did this end up on my plate?” But being faithful to his assigned duties allowed David to be in the right place at the right time. He was able to take on a much larger challenge. The same can be applied to us.
While soldiers responded fearfully, David (a shepherd) was curious.
“What could be in it for me?” There’s a boldness to this way of thinking that could benefit us in everyday life. Thankfully, in modern times there are no 9-foot brutes for us to dispense with. But life is full of tasks that seem insurmountable that with the proper reframing could be seen as opportunities.
Your biggest opposition can come from those closest to you.
In this case, the opposition came from his older brother, Eliab. When attempting something grand (or even mundane), expect that people (perhaps even someone dear to you) will take issue with the goal you’ve set. You may be shining a light on their inability or unwillingness to take on the task themselves. We should learn to accept objections and criticisms as normal and be undeterred by them.
He had a reference point from prior successes.
The heroic actions undertaken were not those of a complete novice. David had honed his skills over many years, having killed both a lion and a bear in the course of his shepherd duties. However, Goliath presented a challenge far greater than any previously faced. David had developed skills and honed his craft but skill development would only take him so far. By giving honor and praise to God for prior victories, he was infused with confidence that God would deliver him through this as well. It was his faith in God’s ability to move through him, that allowed courage to take him over rather than fear.
My challenge to the reader is to revisit what you already think you know about God’s wisdom. There may be some hidden treasure in it for you.
-Cecil Brown, Jr.
