Prayer Tip: David and Goliath
Daily Scripture
1 Samuel 17:19-27 (NRSV)
Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. David rose early in the morning, left someone in charge of the sheep, took the provisions, and went as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the encampment as the army was going forth to the battle line, shouting the war cry. Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage, ran to the ranks, and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. All the Israelites, when they saw the man, fled from him and were very much afraid. The Israelites said, ‘Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. The king will greatly enrich the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter and make his family free in Israel.’ David said to the men who stood by him, ‘What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ The people answered him in the same way, ‘So shall it be done for the man who kills him.’
Prayer Tip
by Jess Lovell, Pastoral Intern at Resurrection Overland Park. She is also pursuing an M.Div. at Saint Paul School of Theology. She is a Certified Candidate for Ministry in the Great Plains Conference and often provides pulpit supply to churches in the conference. Jessica lives in Lenexa and has 3 children: Sydney, Sierra and Aiden.
When I reflect on the story of David, the theme of redemption is personified. King David moves through many trials, yet he is still beloved by God. We all love a good redemption story, don’t we? When we see a new movie, we want the good guys to win, the underdog to finish on top, or the troubled protagonist to win over the audience.
We are all in need of redemption. God calls us back every day to be redeemed. Some weeks we may do well being a model of the faith, and other weeks not so much. We have a powerful redemption story just waiting for us. We know that we are fully and completely loved just by being ourselves.
Creator God, we know that we will be redeemed no matter how far we stray from the path through you.
We thank you for the possibility to continually start over, to have a clean slate, and to know that we are always forgiven.
We thank you for the gift of everlasting love and acceptance through you. May it be ever so. Amen.
