Good morning. Today is Saturday, July 4th! 🇺🇸

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Samuel 17:40

When you picture David fighting Goliath, what do you see?

For most people, it’s a little Y-shaped slingshot with rubber bands.

But that’s actually not what David used.

The Bible describes an ancient sling: a leather pouch with two long cords. David placed a smooth stone in the pouch, spun it around at high speed, and released one cord. The stone could travel well over 100 mph.

It wasn’t a toy. It was one of the most advanced projectile weapons of its day. Ancient armies had entire units of professionally trained slingers, and some could hit targets from over 100 yards away with incredible accuracy. In Judges 20:16, we’re even told of 700 slingers who could “sling a stone at a hair and not miss.”

1 Samuel 17:40 says, “Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.”

Here’s what’s fascinating.

David is usually portrayed as the weak kid who somehow got lucky against a giant.

But the Bible never says he was lucky.

It actually paints the opposite picture.

Goliath expected hand-to-hand combat. He came wearing bronze armor, carrying a spear, a javelin, and a sword. David never intended to fight that battle. He fought it from a distance with the weapon he had spent years mastering as a shepherd.

When Saul offered David armor, he turned it down because he wasn’t trained to use it. Instead, he chose the weapon he knew better than anyone.

David didn’t defeat Goliath because he ignored strategy. He defeated Goliath because he knew his strengths, trusted the preparation God had given him, and believed the Lord would give the victory.

David looked like a shepherd.

Goliath saw an unarmed boy.

In reality, Goliath was standing in range of one of the deadliest weapons of the ancient world, held by someone who had spent years learning exactly how to use it.

God didn’t use David because he was lucky.

He used a man who had been faithfully preparing long before anyone else noticed.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Father, You are faithful, wise, and powerful.

Confession: Forgive us for doubting Your plan and the gifts You’ve given us.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for preparing us in the ordinary.

Supplication: Help us faithfully use what You’ve given us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Draw Near” by Bethel Music (ft. Jeremy Riddle)

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God