Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 20:6-7

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Chronicles 20:6-7

"And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.

But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him."

Not exactly my typically pondering on the scriptures tonight. I had to add Jonathan as the son of David's brother Shimea to the database. Then I was fascinated by the giants and read articles on giants in the bible. Giants are mentioned 19 times in the Old Testament and twice in the Pearl of Great Price. I read them all.

"He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant."

(Job 16:14)

The footnote for giant in this verse says "HEB mighty man".

Day 2517

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 17:37

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 17:37

"David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee."

Before David went up to fight Goliath he had experiences in his life where he had learned to trust God. He had a faith in God that was more than just a belief. He already had confidence that God would deliver him, if he acted in obedience to God's will. He knew that Israel must not be subject to the Philistines, and that Goliath was the means to stop that from happening.

'When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life"

(Joseph Smith, Jr. Lectures on Faith, p.58)

Faith is confidence in God's plan. We show our faith by the actions that we take. David was willing to act in faith, and that is how he was given the ability to take down Goliath. He didn't do it alone, he acted in faith trusting himself as an instrument in God's hand.

Day 2412

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 17:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Samuel 17:11
"When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid."

This is the familiar bible story of David and Goliath. What struck me this time was seeing the root of Israel's problem. It wasn't how big and strong Goliath was, it was that they had come to fear man and not the Lord. Saul had lost the spirit, and when the spirit leaves you are left with fear. Fear is a powerful crippling tool of the adversary. It is just as dangerous as pride. If Saul had been full of pride instead, he would have also been defeated in battle against Goliath. What was needed more than anything was fear of the Lord, and the humility to be lead by the spirit. That is exactly what David did. He knew he was a shepherd boy, and the tools he had God would make great in his sight. That is how a sling and rock brought down the mighty Goliath in battle. I should never fear the tools at my disposal, when the Lord can use them for his good. The Lord will always make what I have good enough to accomplish what needs to be done. I just need to move forward in faith.


Day 828