Choosing the Right Weapons - Martin Wiles

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. 1 Samuel 17:39-40 NLT

Choosing the right weapons can make the difference between a victory and a loss.

Hunting squirrels was the first type of hunting my father taught me. While some hunted them with .22 rifles, we chose shotguns. We left before daylight, strolled through the woods with our flashlights—shining the beams up into the trees to look for nests—and then picked a tree to sit beneath and wait.

The barking began just before the first rays of light penetrated the hardwood forests. As soon as we saw the shapes of the trees against the intruding light, the squirrels began scampering from their nests. We were there to welcome them with lead. Had we chosen bows and arrows, I doubt we would have bagged much, if any, game.

Young shepherd boy David was successful for the same reason. While the Israelite army cowered in fear before the Philistine giant Goliath, Dave said, “Let me at him.” He was too small for the king’s armor. Instead, he chose five smooth stones. All he needed was one.

We fight a spiritual battle with Satan and his army of demons. God tells us to put on the whole armor of God so we’ll be prepared. He also assures us no battle will be more intense than we can handle with the help of his Spirit’s power in us. We are already more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord.

David chose smooth stones. Perhaps he took five in case he needed the others for more Philistines or in case he needed more than one to do Goliath in. As believers, the stones we should choose include confidence, righteous anger, courage, and a firm handle on the truth.

We fight with confidence because God is on our side, and greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. We won’t even see the need to fight the battles if we neglect righteous indignation over sin. We march forward with courage, for the battle is the Lord’s. We also step into battle with truth because it is truth that sets us free.

What stones have you chosen to fight your battles with?

Father, I ask for the right weapons so that I might be victorious in my spiritual battles. 

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