Monday, September 10, 2018


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 Ethnos 360 in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eighteen-year-old Callie and fifteen-year-old Elias.