Swordless Victories
By
Elin Henderson
“So David prevailed over the
Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him. But
there was no sword in the hand of David.”
1 Samuel
17:50 (NKJV, emphasis added)
Only a boy named David and five
little stones He took. That day a giant fell and a victory was won. Sometimes
God brings victory through “swords.” But many times they are set aside for
something far more simple - - so that through our weakness, His strength may be
shown perfect.
This was not David’s first swordless
victory, and it wouldn’t be his last. If you recall, a bear tried to attack the
flock he was shepherding, and he killed it with his bare hands. Soon after, a lion tried to pull the same
trick and ended up with the same fate. Others in Scripture experienced these swordless
victories. Men like Gideon and his army of 300. Granted there are many times in
Scripture that God saved with swords, but the times that He gives the swordless
victories are more amazing. Then it is known, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
that the victory was from God alone!
What about us? What kind of “swords” do we carry that we
believe will bring victory? Our wisdom and knowledge, our ability to plan and
prepare, our background, degrees and training… We think that surely God will
use these to give us victory in our battles. The world,
like King Saul spoke to David, will say, “You want a sure victory? Take this
sword and armor!” Sometimes God does use
the “sword,” but often He says “Nope! Not this time. Sheath that sword and lay it aside. Pick up
this sling and five stones. Now let’s go kill us a giant!”
It wasn’t the sword in David’s hand,
but the faith in his heart that brought victory. And so it will be with us. So
the next time you feel ready to charge into battle, take the time to ask God
what would be His “weapon” of choice (if any).
Who knows if today’s battle will be yet another swordless victory for
His kingdom!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Are you facing any giants/battles
these days? What kind of “swords” has the world been encouraging you to take up
and use? What weapon (if any) might God be wanting you to use instead?
FURTHER READING:
Oakwood’s missionaries, Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and
her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes Mission in
Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to sixteen-year-old Callie and
thirteen-year-old Elias.
