1 Samuel 17:40
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
David’s time on the battlefield, where Israel faced the Philistines, is a powerful testament to faith. Goliath challenged Israel, and David, confident in God’s deliverance, offered to fight him. David’s strength came from God, and he was confident that he would gain victory, as he had been delivered from the paw of the lion and the bear before.
David’s choice to take five smooth stones, despite there being only one Goliath, raises an important question: Why not just one stone? This wasn’t a sign of weak faith. Instead, David was very confident that he would win the battle. It showed David was prepared for any additional challenges that might arise. He trusted God completely but also used wisdom to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.
This story teaches us that while we must have faith in God, we should use wisdom to prepare for life’s challenges. David’s extra stones were not a lack of faith but a demonstration of wisdom. As believers, we should trust in God while also making reasonable preparations for potential difficulties.
Devotional by Pastor Rod Holler, Sr.