Living By Faith: Heroes - Monday Morning Summer Devotion Series - Week 1
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17: 34-37
When I was in 5th grade, while driving to a boy scout meeting, we came across a house with smoke coming from the windows. I clearly remember my dad, without hesitation, turning to all the boys in the car and ordering us to stay as he left. Because of his bravery and selflessness, everyone made it out of the house. Although he will never admit to the story, it’s forever engrained in my memory.
Years later, I became a Fire Fighter/Emergency Medical Technician. As a professional, I would never advise running into burning buildings without personal protective equipment, training, and risk management skills. I would have directed my dad like Saul who tried to advise David against battling Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:33, “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.”
During these uncertain times, I look at how David found the strength to battle Goliath. He wasn’t a warrior, wasn’t trained, and didn’t have the right tools. He had all of the acceptable excuses to back out, yet he stood firm, trusting that his strength was from the Lord.
Heavenly Father, Although I may not understand what is currently happening today, help me to trust that you are in control. You will not let my struggles go to waste. During these times of uncertainty, please give me strength and discernment to seek your will for my life and help me to realize fear is a liar meant to separate me from you. Amen.
Nate Milan
Fairbanks, Alaska