Just Take 5

“So David put [Saul’s armor] off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” -1 Samuel 17:39–40

Have you wondered why David only took 5 stones to fight Goliath with?

Maybe you’ve never had that thought before. Nor had I until recently.

It hit me one day (#seewhatididthere) while I listened to my wife tell my 3 boys the story of David and Goliath. In the story, the Holy Spirit saw it fit to include that small little detail.

David took 5 stones.

Here’s the thing. If David in his furious faith believed God would grant him victory over the giant, why didn’t he take just 1 stone?

But David also knew this was the biggest battle of his life. It was do or die. No turning back. So why didn’t he take more than 5 stones just to be sure he had enough ammunition?

Interesting.

David knew God would give him the victory, so he didn’t pick up 100 stones -just 5. But David also knew that within his humanity he was prone to misfire -so he didn’t pick up only 1 stone, but 5 only.

Perhaps with 100 stones David would have shown unbelief in God promises, but with 1 stone he would have shown arrogance in his own ability.

I find here an incredible illustration of how God works in the boundaries of our humanity and in the limitless of His sovereignty. And from this simple observation, I want to draw out a few applications.

1. In the first place, let us understand that a misfire is not a failure of faith1.

This is so vital. Faith is almost entirely a human quality. God Himself does not need faith. He knows all and sees all. He is the King of the Ages with no need to inquire or believe in anything, for He already knows the outcome of it all. Yet, we learn we need faith. The Scriptures say that without faith it is impossible to please Him. Faith is a human action.

I think we place faith on a spiritual pedestal sometimes.

We think we either have it perfectly or we don’t have it at all. But this isn’t true. Faith is believing God for something -even when it might take multiple chances to get there.

Is there a work you believe God has called you to accomplish?

Don’t walk away because your first attempt was a misfire. Is there a victory you believe God for? Don’t give up after a couple misfires.

We need to start recognizing our humanity in the venture of faith.

Take 5, not 1.

2. In the second place, we must be sure to limit ourselves so God can work.

Again, David took only 5 stones.

But what if he missed all 5 times?

Surely these questions flooded his mind. This is where his faith took over his limits because he believed God would bring the victory.

You see, while faith is human, the whole purpose of faith is to trust our mighty God to do something beyond ourselves. It’s easy to accomplish many great things for God that never actually require faith -and in reality you’re not actually accomplishing anything for God. We must limit ourselves so we can watch God work through faith.

Take 5, not 100.

3. Thirdly, we must use the measure of faith given to us, no more and no less.

The number 5 isn’t really anything but a metaphor of David’s measure of faith. David used the measure of faith given to him -no more and no less. In this instance it was with 5 stones.

For some of us, the measure of faith God gives us could in fact be 100 stones. Let us then grab 100 stones if that is our measure of faith. For others of us, the measure of faith God gives us could simply be 1. Let us then grab that 1 stone if that is our measure of faith.

4. Last of all, let us not be surprised when God honors our faith.

Here’s where the beauty of David’s story comes in. While David’s measure of faith extended itself to 5 stones, he still defeated Goliath with only one.

Only 1.

God showed up.

Yes, David was a skilled slinger. But it wasn’t his skill of the sling that brought the victory. It was his faith in God.

When we act in faith according to the measure given to us, God will show up.

He will.

He may even crash the party early like He did with David’s battle against Goliath.

But here’s where the rubber meets the road. We will never see God show up until we “approach the Philistine” for ourselves.

I think it’s time for more Christians to start gearing up and take 5, don’t you?